Trump entering baseball arena? [Archive]

TexCoog

07-24-2006, 02:40 PM

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http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5811464?FSO1&ATT=HMA

Could Trump buy Cubs?

FOXSports.com
Posted: 1 hour ago

So if Donald Trump purchases the Chicago Cubs, will team manager Dusty Baker be hearing "You're fired!" shortly thereafter?

That may be getting a little ahead of the game, but in an interview on 670 The Score in Chicago, Trump said he'd be interested in purchasing the franchise.
Trump, appearing as a guest on the "Mike North Morning Show," was asked if he would want to own the team. His reply: "I would be interested, yeah. I think the Cubs are a great franchise, a storied franchise, an amazing franchise.

"It's sad to see what's happened to the Cubs, but management hasn't really done a good job over the years."

"I would certainly be interested in the Cubs," Trump said.

The Tribune Company is reportedly considering selling the struggling team.

Mattingly

07-24-2006, 03:38 PM

Interesting idea, but what in the world does realtor and the self-absorbed Donald J Trump, who calls himself "The Donald" know about baseball? Has he ever run a minor league team? Does he even go to baseball games? Comment on the state of the Cubs?

I don't believe he's anywhere near as rich, but if it's just another business entity with him, as if it's his entrance into the sports team market, I'd only be in favor if he actually were interested in a baseball team so as to benefit them.

He'd still have to worry about management, marketing, getting his "baseball people" to scout around and make trades, then worry about the farm system. That's a lot of time to spend, so worry about Dusty Baker, while important, isn't the only thing he'd need to worry about.

Let's hear it from the Cubbies fans out there. :)

The Big C

07-24-2006, 03:58 PM

Anybody is better than the Tribune Co.

baseball junkie

07-24-2006, 04:17 PM

Is he going to rename Wrigley Field after himself too? That'd just be great....

otis89

07-24-2006, 04:27 PM

Is he going to rename Wrigley Field after himself too? That'd just be great....

I'd shoot myself if it became Trump Stadium or something like that.

baseball junkie

07-24-2006, 04:42 PM

Maybe the Cubs could become a reality TV show! Trump could bring in all the nutjobs in baseball and put them in one clubhouse: Shea Hillenbrand, A.J. Pierzynski, Carl Everett, Kenny Rogers. Set 'em all at eachother and let 'em all loose.

Have A.J. and Michael Barrett literally fight it out for the starting catcher's job -- to the death.

Bring back Sammy Sosa and make Jose Canseco the "hitting" coach. Put cameras in the clubhouse, in the hotel rooms, on the planes. Groupies! Hire Paris Hilton to do the show's narration and say, "that's hot" 56 times every episode. And as an added bonus maybe she could hook up with Mark Prior but then start having an affair with Kerry Wood -- she could be just like Joey on Dawson's Creek.

Every week a new person could be chosen randomly from the viewing audience to manage the Cubs for the next week -- all you'd have to do is just send a stupid text message to an automated telephone number about a million times at 99 cents a pop. Oh the idiots would clog the phone lines.

Steve Bartman could be the new official bat boy. And fans would be encouraged to throw bats at him.

And why doesn't baseball have cheerleaders? Get rid of those pesky bullpens and replace them with scantily clad cheerleaders. And if one occasionally gets winged by a fly ball or a line drive, well that just ups the drama! "Will Caitlyn come out of her coma? Find out next week."

Maybe the winner of the next season of the Apprentice could be the Cubs' new general manager. I'm sure that would work out just swell.

Yes, I can't think of anything more entertaining than the Chicago Apprentices playing in Trump Field.

Mattingly

07-24-2006, 04:57 PM

Wasn't the USFL with Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie, the last time Trump was involved in a ball sport? Other than this, I remember some bicycle race called the "Tour de Trump".
I'd shoot myself if it became Trump Stadium or something like that.
He'd have "You're Fired Night" where fans get to DFA a Cubs player (or manager) who's stunk up the joint. Pass the envelope, please. :D

Just think, a bobblehead version of the Trump doll. Oh well, there goes the neighborhood!

http://www.thewalldirect.com/upload/product/feat-2.jpg http://static.flickr.com/3/11660753_75bba8bb80_m.jpg

The post-game interviews after a loss could be dicier than ever thought possible:

http://static.flickr.com/28/56957131_73f26ae9af.jpg

efin98

07-24-2006, 07:24 PM

I'd shoot myself if it became Trump Stadium or something like that.

It would be his right as owner of the stadium to call it whatever he wanted.

Elvis

07-24-2006, 07:47 PM

It would be his right as owner of the stadium to call it whatever he wanted.

Gee, ya think?

rockin500

07-24-2006, 08:03 PM

It would be his right as owner of the stadium to call it whatever he wanted.
he'd have to get it approved by City Council First, considering that Wrigley Field is an historic Landmark.

and no i wouldnt want Trump as an owner.

Knick9

07-24-2006, 08:18 PM

It would be his right as owner of the stadium to call it whatever he wanted.

Prepare for a huge backlash of disapproval from Cubs fans then. I will never get myself to call Wrigley Field anything else. Trump would be quite the dummy to attempt a corporate stadium name.

efin98

07-24-2006, 08:57 PM

he'd have to get it approved by City Council First, considering that Wrigley Field is an historic Landmark.

and no i wouldnt want Trump as an owner.

Approval to change the name of the field? I could see the need for approval if he wanted to undergo a renovation, but just to change the name of the field????? Moronic politics at it's finest :rolleyes:

efin98

07-24-2006, 09:00 PM

Prepare for a huge backlash of disapproval from Cubs fans then. I will never get myself to call Wrigley Field anything else.

Fans will never be happy regardless of what is done, it's their nature to disapprove.

Trump would be quite the dummy to attempt a corporate stadium name.

Trump isn't a corporate name, it's his own name

And like Wrigley isn't a corporate name:rolleyes: If you believe it isn't then I have a bridge in New York to sell you:rolleyes:

Elvis

07-24-2006, 10:08 PM

Corporate names are fine if they're tied into the ownership itself. Wrigley Fields in LA and Chicago were named as such because the man who built them was Mr. Wrigley. Just like Turner and Jacobs fields. It's not quite the same as selling the name to the highest bidder like Pepsi or Enron.

Back to the question - Trump is no dummy even with that huge ego. There is no NEED to change the name of Wrigley because Trump isn't exactly strapped for cash and wouldn't need to for the revenue. If he DID change it, it would strictly be for his own ego. Although since he's in the habit of slapping his name on everythign he owns (ala Ted Turner) I wouldn't be surprised. But the fan backlash would be huge. Heck even George didn't try and change the name of Yankee Stadium to Steinbrenner Stadium when he bought the Yankees.

A more likely scenario if Trump bought the Cubs would be to abandon Wrigley Field altogether for a glitzy new Trump Stadium elsewhere.

Knick9

07-24-2006, 10:36 PM

Fans will never be happy regardless of what is done, it's their nature to disapprove.

Trump isn't a corporate name, it's his own name

And like Wrigley isn't a corporate name:rolleyes: If you believe it isn't then I have a bridge in New York to sell you:rolleyes:

Efin98, stop it. I never said it was. I didn't even say that his last name was a corporate name. You're just jumping to conclusions.

efin98

07-25-2006, 02:43 PM

Efin98, stop it. I never said it was. I didn't even say that his last name was a corporate name.

Sorry. Not hard to assume that is what you meant even if it isn't.

His record of properties called "Trump" casts a heavy shaddow, renaming the stadium after himself will be seen as using it as a corporate name even if the intent isn't there.

efin98

07-25-2006, 02:48 PM

Mattingly

07-25-2006, 04:40 PM

This seems to be his official website. If not, I can't imagine anyone spending the money for something so fancy, and it would likely have been taken down already, given his strong legal defense of his exclusivity to the "Trump" name.

http://www.trump.com/main.htm
I'll be darned, Elvis and I agree on something!!! I'll go farther- I give it about eight years before the Cubs are playing in Trump Field located elsewhere in Chicago and about 10 years before the Trump Wrigley Field park and apartment complex opens on the former Wrigley Field site.
Given that Trump also owns an Atlantic City, NJ casino called the "Trump Taj Mahal", I'd say that his interests into an expansion baseball team in Las Vegas, NV may not be too remote a possibility.

Elvis

07-25-2006, 05:07 PM

Given that Trump also owns an Atlantic City, NJ casino called the "Trump Taj Mahal", I'd say that his interests into an expansion baseball team in Las Vegas, NV may not be too remote a possibility.

Imagine him buying the Cubs and attempting to move tham to Las Vegas? He's be drawn and quartered! :D It's more likely him buying a more unstable franchise and making the move to sin city.

efin98

07-25-2006, 05:22 PM

Imagine him buying the Cubs and attempting to move tham to Las Vegas? He's be drawn and quartered! :D It's more likely him buying a more unstable franchise and making the move to sin city.

Chicago is pretty unstable and could turn a huge profit with only minimal investment beyond the sale price(better players, better front office personnel) whereas a more unstable franchise like Kansas City or Florida will take years and a large sum of money to make a return on the investment(new stadium/renovations, much better players, new front offices, new marketting) That's not counting the additional money he would have to put up in Las Vegas from the costs of a new stadium that he would have to get a good deal on before he moves the team.

He's a businessman, I believe he will stick with the easy money even if it is a higher cost in the short term. He will likely go after the Cubs over other teams or an expansion team.

Mattingly

07-25-2006, 09:18 PM

Imagine him buying the Cubs and attempting to move tham to Las Vegas? He's be drawn and quartered! :D It's more likely him buying a more unstable franchise and making the move to sin city.
No way would he attempt to move one of the longest-standing ballclubs away from Chicago. From what I've heard, there's so much of Chicago's nightlife surrounding Wrigley, including the upscale bars, nightclubs, it's ridiculous. To try moving away their pride & joy, it would never work. Heck, he'd have an easier time moving their "el" train away. He may as well try relocating O'Hare Airport.

If, say, the Nats hadn't moved to DC, I could see Trump willing to form/head a partnership group that would want them moving into Las Vegas or Reno.

From his website, I don't see any sports activities, not even auto racing. His last sports team involve ballplayers was the short-lived USFL General, an alternate football league headed by Herschel Walker (who supposedly made that whole league legit, as he'd won the Heisman Trophy on his 2nd opportunity).

The only other I'd remembered was some "Tour du Trump", which was a bicycling race. Had "The Donald" had a soccer team, a polo club, a golfing team (not just a country club/resort, but a team), I could take him more seriously. Right now, I'd say he's no more serious than the far richer Aussie, Rupert Murdoch, who'd also owned some baseball club awhile back, but which team I can't remember offhand.

I'll repeat the "If I were a Cubbies fan" thing now: If I were a Cubbies fan, I'd have to know what this guy's plans are. However, if Trump were to make Wrigley more about glitz and self-promo, I'm not too sure I'd be interested in watching. From the one time I'd seen Cubbies fans--last season during Interleague when they'd visited Yankee Stadium--those who'd made the trek seemed very devoted to their team, so I doubt that all the fancy stuff would go over too well.

digglahhh

07-25-2006, 09:39 PM

Forgive me if this is a naive question, but would Trump even be allowed to own a team considering he is professionally involved in the gambling institution?

Mattingly

07-26-2006, 08:41 AM

Forgive me if this is a naive question, but would Trump even be allowed to own a team considering he is professionally involved in the gambling institution?
That's a very interesting question. One of those "Wish I'd have thought of that" things. Since both Mays and Mantle were temporarily banned by MLB commissioners for having been "greeters" or something at Vegas casinos, I could see some conflict of interest. I may have to find out by contacting a reporter.

Captain Cold Nose

07-26-2006, 09:38 AM

Wasn't the USFL with Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie, the last time Trump was involved in a ball sport? Other than this, I remember some bicycle race called the "Tour de Trump".

He'd have "You're Fired Night" where fans get to DFA a Cubs player (or manager) who's stunk up the joint. Pass the envelope, please. :D

Just think, a bobblehead version of the Trump doll. Oh well, there goes the neighborhood!

http://www.thewalldirect.com/upload/product/feat-2.jpg http://static.flickr.com/3/11660753_75bba8bb80_m.jpg

The post-game interviews after a loss could be dicier than ever thought possible:

http://static.flickr.com/28/56957131_73f26ae9af.jpg
For a while, Trump was quite successful holding boxing cards at his casinos. He started losing money when he started dealing with Don King, like so many of the people King is involved with have happen to them.

Can anything this man says be worth more than a grain of salt? Even when it's daytime, he'll tell the world how beautiful his view of the moon is from where he's standing at that moment.

E.Banks#14

07-26-2006, 10:17 AM

Interesting idea, but what in the world does realtor and the self-absorbed Donald J Trump, who calls himself "The Donald" know about baseball? Has he ever run a minor league team? Does he even go to baseball games? Comment on the state of the Cubs?
If I remember correctly, he's good friends with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. I'm not sure if having a Steinbrenner carbon copy running the Cubs would be a good or bad thing.

Mattingly

07-26-2006, 10:17 AM

For a while, Trump was quite successful holding boxing cards at his casinos. He started losing money when he started dealing with Don King, like so many of the people King is involved with have happen to them.

Can anything this man says be worth more than a grain of salt? Even when it's daytime, he'll tell the world how beautiful his view of the moon is from where he's standing at that moment.
I don't know about Don King, but boxing at casinos isn't anything new. Celine Dion and other entertainers make their everyday living being headliners at places like this. Not everyone is willing to go on tour and travel from state to state.

Must've been 15 years ago that Trump claimed to be a billionaire. Someone said he was wrong and was subsequently fired from his magazine. When it was proven that he was worth "only" $400m, that guy sued both Trump and his former publisher.

I've seen his Trump Tower by 57th & 5th, then a few other fancy places along Manhattan. He also owns the Grand Hyatt and that hotel along Central Park South & 5th Ave (can't remember its name).

He's now got the financial goods, has been a keynoter at some Learning Annex thing with about 45,000 people paying $100 apiece regarding real estate investing.

What I don't get is that to my knowledge, since the USFL, he has not owned one single ball club. I'm not sure if he'd owned the league or the team, the Generals. Still, 20 years since he's owned a sports team. Right now, he's more famous for that rug on his head than owning a ballclub. :D

trosmok

07-26-2006, 10:20 AM

.....
Can anything this man says be worth more than a grain of salt? Even when it's daytime, he'll tell the world how beautiful his view of the moon is from where he's standing at that moment.

Precisely, CCN. It is actually laughable he could be slamming the Cubs' management, while hinting he may be interested in purchasing the franchise. I can't stand the Tribune owners of my dear Cubbies, and couldn't think of any worse possible ownership, until the donald started his yammering. He divested many of his gambling holdings in this state when he was trying to acquire a team (I think it was auto racing), but his Atlantic City casino would indeed prevent him from any foray into MLB ownership. I can't see him giving up a cash cow like the Taj Mahal, particularly considering most of his wealth is strictly on paper, and the Trib would likely demand $600-$700 million minimum for the franchise. I think he is trying to gain some attention, and can't really be serious, but stranger things have indeed happened.

Brannu

07-28-2006, 08:16 PM

I think that if Trump owned The Cubs it would be a great thing for the revenue possibilities for the team.

Hell, their payroll may jump $100 million. Want to see a NL version of The Yankees? You might very well see something of the sort if Trump owned The Cubs.

Actually, I was wondering when those big money names Trump, Gates, et. al. would get involved in sports franchises.

Could be good for the game. Who knows?

efin98

07-28-2006, 10:19 PM

Actually, I was wondering when those big money names Trump, Gates, et. al. would get involved in sports franchises.

Could be good for the game. Who knows?

Paul Allen, #2 at Microsoft and one of the richest guys in the world owns the Portland Trailblazers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Malcolm Glazer, another multi-billionare owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneres and 75% of the Manchester United soccer team.

I'm not sure if he is still a billionare or not but one of the most famous owners and big money guys is Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and part owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins(possibly, not sure of position as of now).

They are out there in the sports world, not out front but they are out there.

Brannu

07-29-2006, 01:49 PM

Paul Allen, #2 at Microsoft and one of the richest guys in the world owns the Portland Trailblazers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Malcolm Glazer, another multi-billionare owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneres and 75% of the Manchester United soccer team.

I'm not sure if he is still a billionare or not but one of the most famous owners and big money guys is Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and part owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins(possibly, not sure of position as of now).

They are out there in the sports world, not out front but they are out there.

Thanks for letting me know. It would be interesting to follow the success or lack thereof of their franchises, since their ownership.

efin98

07-29-2006, 07:55 PM

Thanks for letting me know. It would be interesting to follow the success or lack thereof of their franchises, since their ownership.

The Seahawks made it to the Superbowl this past season and the Trailblazers are in a bit of a tailspin so Allen's teams are about even.

Mark Cuban's team made it to the NBA finals and has been a contender since he bought them.

Malcolm Glazer's Buccaneres won the Super Bowl five years ago and is consistantly competitive while his soccer team is one of the biggest and well known teams in the world.

It doesn't matter how much money you have, what matters with teams are who you put in charge in the front office, who you hire as GM and as head coach/manager, and what players you get.

Padday

07-29-2006, 08:06 PM

Malcolm Glazer's Buccaneres won the Super Bowl five years ago and is consistantly competitive while his soccer team is one of the biggest and well known teams in the world.

When Malcolm Glazier took over Manchester United it was an incredibly messy process as there was a lot of opposition because fans were afraid he'd raise ticket prices because he was in huge debt and the team haven't been performing as well since and havn't won anything since.

efin98

07-29-2006, 08:18 PM

When Malcolm Glazier took over Manchester United it was an incredibly messy process as there was a lot of opposition because fans were afraid he'd raise ticket prices because he was in huge debt and the team haven't been performing as well since and havn't won anything since.

The opposition also was because he is an American. There's no argument there- many have come out point blank on that when it was first announced.

The reaction to Glazer kind of proves my earlier point- fans will not be happy regardless of what is done, it's their nature to disapprove.

Winning removes all of those prejudices.

Padday

07-29-2006, 08:31 PM

And not every team is good forever, others have been simply better than them in recent years.

Yeah, the teams with billions to spend.

Unfortunately that's just the way it is nowadays. The more money the team has the better it is. If only it could return to the good old days when it wasn't how much money you had, but the amount of determination, will, talent and heart.:(

Brownie31

07-30-2006, 06:04 AM

Forgive me if this is a naive question, but would Trump even be allowed to own a team considering he is professionally involved in the gambling institution?

digglahhh:

This is an excellent point. The NFL might be more ameniable
to The Donald-remember when Jimmy The Greek Snyder was
one of their commentators?

Brownie31

efin98

07-30-2006, 01:58 PM

Yeah, the teams with billions to spend.

No, that's any team. Teams with money haven't won everything every year, teams without money have won often.

Unfortunately that's just the way it is nowadays. The more money the team has the better it is. If only it could return to the good old days when it wasn't how much money you had, but the amount of determination, will, talent and heart.:(

Tell that to teams in "small markets" and who have won titles just on the backs of their players. Each year there are teams out there who are not only successful, but also champions and beat out teams with deep pockets and large streams of other money(tv, radio contracts, merchandising, etc).

Money can't buy your team success, you have to have the right folks to win.

Padday

07-30-2006, 03:44 PM

No, that's any team. Teams with money haven't won everything every year, teams without money have won often.

I admit that my statement was a bit of an exageration but it was true in regards to the situation in English soccer.After Chelsea F.C. was taken over by the multibillionaire Roman Abramovic, the team was transformed from underachiever to undefeatable.

I agree that there are exceptions but they tend to once offs and the star players from those teams next season get offered big shiny contracts that they can't resist from the teams who can afford it.