Tribune Co. intends to sell the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family, sources familiar with the matter told the Chicago Tribune on Monday, ending the company's flirtation with another buyer after negotiations with the Rickettses had stalled two months ago.
After more than five months of negotiations, Tribune Co. has a written agreement to sell the baseball team and other assets to the Ricketts family for about $900 million. The two sides reached a deal over the weekend and forwarded an outline of their transaction to Major League Baseball for its initial comments, according to sources who declined to be identified because an agreement has not been announced.
A Tribune spokesman said, "We continue an active dialogue with the Ricketts family with an eye toward reaching a definitive agreement. We don't intend to comment on the specifics of any potential transaction."
A spokesman for the Ricketts family did not immediately return a phone call for comment. The family's pursuit of the Cubs has been led by Tom Ricketts, an investment banker.
Completion of a transaction with the Rickettses is still several weeks away. The agreement, in addition to receiving MLB approval, has to be vetted by Tribune Co.'s creditors. The company, which also owns the Los Angeles Times, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December.
The San Francisco Giants have put left-hander Randy Johnson on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained shoulder. The 45-year-old Johnson (8-6) underwent an MRI exam that revealed the strain. . . . The San Diego Padres put infielder David Eckstein on the 15-day disabled list because of a hamstring injury.
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BASKETBALL
Kidd, Mavericks agree to contract
Free-agent point guard Jason Kidd has agreed to sign a three-year contract for more than $25 million to remain with the Dallas Mavericks, owner Mark Cuban said in an e-mail. The New York Knicks were among Kidd's suitors.
With the contract, the 36-year-old Kidd could end his career in Dallas, which is where he started in 1994.
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TENNIS
Roddick out of Davis Cup round
Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick withdrew from the U.S. Davis Cup team's quarterfinal at Croatia, citing a right hip flexor injury.
The U.S. Tennis Assn. announced that Roddick wouldn't participate in this week's matches because he was hurt during his loss a day earlier to Roger Federer at the All England Club.
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GOLF
