With the Wall Street Journal reporting that the Tribune Company has hired bankruptcy advisers, Chicago Cubs fans are preparing for the worst (as if they ever prepare for the best). Will the team, which is owned by the Tribune, be able to afford Jake Peavy? Will a reputable buyer ever come forward? Will they have to take a bus to all away games? Surprisingly, the answers to these questions appear to be yes, probably and no. Tribune Co. is looking into possible bankruptcy-court protection, according to the Wall Street Journal, to try and come to grips with the nearly $13 billion of debt it has incurred since owner Sam Zell brought the company public last year. Not swell news for Tribune Co. properties such as the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and more than two dozen radio and TV stations which it owns. But the Cubs, which one would think would be the most vulnerable in times of economic stress, seem to be unaffected. Kenney said all the bidders are aware of what the Cubs payroll is projected to be in 2009. Kenney wouldn't say, but sources indicated it will probably be between $140-$145 million. "It leaves us enough room to address the issues we have to address and actually improve a 97-win club," he said. "If we wanted to deviate from the plan and take a shot at something completely different, I don't know if that happens in time [for the sale]. We won't have a transaction closed in time to do that." Chairman Crane Kenney says the team should be sold by spring training. It would seem that the Tribune Company's economic situation would make that difficult, but at least three buyers submitted proposals in the latest round of bidding in November, including real estate investor Hersch Klaff; the Ricketts family; and Marc Utay, a New York investor. It isn't known if Mark Cuban has dropped out. Cubs Payroll Set [Chi-Ball]
Tribune Co. Ponders Bankruptcy [Newsday]
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a brace as Arsenal twice fought back to earn a point following goals from Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell.
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This encounter marks the 47th meeting between these two sides, with the hosts holding a commanding lead in the head-to-head standings, boasting 35 victories compared to Konyaspor s nine, while six matches have ended in draws.
Fenerbahce
The initial phase of the 2023/24 season witnessed a swift establishment of a two-way title race between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in the Turkish top flight. Both clubs surged ahead of the chasing pack, creating a notable 14-point gap over Trabzonspor, currently occupying …
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Just a bunch of winners standing on Business !!!!
Bring on the Quarter Finals!
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana)
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Sunderland previously held the record among English top-flight clubs with a run of two goals or more in 17 straight games in 1927.
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Baseball great Ken Griffey Jr wants to help the Seattle Sounders become the closest thing MLS has to the New York Yankees.
The former Seattle Mariners star has joined the ownership group of the Sounders, which also includes Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and chart-topping rapper Macklemore.
Griffey, a Baseball Hall of Famer who hit 630 MLB home runs in his career to sit seventh on the all-time list, spent 13 years with the Mariners and retired in 2010.
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A club true to its city.
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