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Chicago White Sox fans can expect a significant but somewhat gradual change in the team’s ownership, based on the podcast’s discussion. From Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman of Yahoo Sports’ “Baseball-Bar-B-Cast” podcast, here’s a summary of what fans should know and what to expect:
Jerry Reinsdorf, who has owned the White Sox for 45 years, has established a clear succession plan for selling the team. The path is mapped out but doesn’t take effect right away. The earliest possible transition to new ownership is 2029, and it could stretch as late as 2034.
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Justin Ishbia, the brother of Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia, is set to become the White Sox’s principal owner, according to legal arrangements revealed this week. He already holds a minority stake and will have the option to buy the majority stake from Reinsdorf starting in 2029, or absolutely by 2034.
Sorry, White Sox fans, as for now, not much changes
The current public messaging is that nothing significant changes for day-to-day fans or for the on-field product until at least 2029. In the short-term, Ishbia will infuse some cash and begin slowly getting involved, but the team’s operational control still rests with Reinsdorf.
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Reinsdorf is 89 years old, so it makes sense for him to set up this transition. He’s finally making concrete plans for when he’s no longer in charge.
“He clearly sold this to Ishbia because he likes Ishbia or thinks Ishbia will do a good job or whatever,” Mintz said. “That was the pick. He’s making the pick, not someone else. That’s important to Jerry Reinsdorf. He is lucky here that he has made this choice before he dies. A lot of people, most people die before 89, and I feel bad that some White Sox fans, in fact will die before this ownership group changes hands because the quickest it could change is 2029.”
Said Shusterman, “If he’s doing great and the White Sox are winning, guess what? Jerry’s going to keep on owning the team. Now if the White Sox are still losing in 2029? Very possible, considering how deep of a hole they are in, then, I mean, I don’t know, maybe he then finally decides, ‘All right, your turn, Justin.'”
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While there’s no reason to expect rapid on-field changes or increased spending immediately, there is a sense of long-term optimism. The new owner comes from substantial means and chose the White Sox over other available MLB franchises, indicating belief in the franchise’s potential.
For more of the latest baseball news and debates, tune in to “Baseball-Bar-B-Cast” on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
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