REPORT: Mat Ishbia and Justin Ishbia Are Limited Partners in White Sox, Which Could Affect Twins Pursuit

[Matthew Trueblood]

In news that could prove to be huge (but is noteworthy, either way), Sportico reported Monday that the Ishbia brothers purchased a small minority stake in the White Sox in 2021. Naturally, to avoid conflicts of interest, MLB will require them to divest themselves from the Sox before buying the Twins, which they do seem to be strongly interested in doing. It's a procedural hurdle, at worst, because it's not as though they've been active in the operation of the team in the short period during which they've had a financial investment there. 

Still, this is news. When it was first reported that the two might be interested in buying the Twins, it came in the wake of rumors that they had explored buying the White Sox in full from Jerry Reinsdorf. Apparently, they had (instead) made a small investment and stayed behind the scenes there. The Sox are a messy potential purchase right now, as Reinsdorf angles for a new ballpark to replace Comiskey Park II (for so we shall continue to call it) and the organization fights its way out of a deep competitive chasm. It only makes sense that, if the chance is there, the Ishbias will buy the Twins and disentangle themselves from the Sox. That they are involved and interested enough to have stirred the right embers to alert the folks at Sportico tells us something concrete, even if it's only implied.

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[SF Twins Fan]

I mentioned this yesterday on multiple articles and it likely means the brothers have already been somewhat vetted by MLB, which could speed up the process in buying the Twins.

Would the MLB help facilitate the purchase of the Twins by buying the brothers portion of the White Sox and then selling after the fact?

[nicksaviking]

How about in the deal they just trade the Pohlad's their 10% share or whatever they own of the White Sox? The Pohlads could then share their business plan for right-sizing baseball teams with the Reinsdorfs.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

How about in the deal, they just trade the Pohlad's their 10% share or whatever of the White Sox? The Pohlads could then share their business plan for right-sizing baseball teams with the Reinsdorfs.

I like this idea.  

[CoachDW]

But sharing the Pohlad's business plan for right-sizing would likely really sink the White Sox down to the very depths...oh, wait... 

[Doctor Gast]

7 hours ago, SF Twins Fan said:

I mentioned this yesterday on multiple articles and it likely means the brothers have already been somewhat vetted by MLB, which could speed up the process in buying the Twins.

Would the MLB help facilitate the purchase of the Twins by buying the brothers portion of the White Sox and then selling after the fact?

Truly hope so. Being already vetted help to accelerate the process. The quicker the better.

[Jocko87]

I want one brother to own each team.  The off-season would not be boring.  
 

[DocBauer]

It's my understanding they have a mid single digit investment. In other words, they are around 5%. That's not enough to have any influence over anything, nor is it an amount that couldn't be sold off easily.

I can't imagine this will hold up anything in regard to a purchase at all.

[Carneal&Gordon]

I am of the belief that this leaking is a good sign for those of us who want the Ishbias to own the Twins.  

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

nor is it an amount that couldn't be sold off easily

Except who wants to have any ownership stake in the White Sox right now. Maybe, if they were set to get a new stadium. They are not and will not given that Reinsdorf has already stated he wants the city and state to foot a majority of it. We can’t afford that in IL. Or, maybe, if they were set to move elsewhere. They are not. I’m doubtful they ever will, but moving is way more likely that a new stadium.

[Matthew Trueblood]

31 minutes ago, Carneal&Gordon said:

I am of the belief that this leaking is a good sign for those of us who want the Ishbias to own the Twins.  

I agree. Indicates, for my money, that they're getting serious about this. 

[tony&rodney]

The Cubs have more than double the value of the White Sox. Chicago is a big town with money. Seems like there is an opportunity for someone there.

If I was interested in buying the Minnesota Twins (I'm not - age), I would want to get the ball rolling asap once it was determined that the books were clean and a transaction could proceed without any hoops or snags. At the end of the day baseball is just a business and waiting only reduces the time needed to ramp up interest and promotion for the 2025 season. Time is money.

[twinstalker]

I hear Abe Froman is interested in the Ishbias' 10% share of the White Sox.

[ddubbl1]

On 1/14/2025 at 7:42 PM, Squirrel said:

Except who wants to have any ownership stake in the White Sox right now. Maybe, if they were set to get a new stadium. They are not and will not given that Reinsdorf has already stated he wants the city and state to foot a majority of it. We can’t afford that in IL. Or, maybe, if they were set to move elsewhere. They are not. I’m doubtful they ever will, but moving is way more likely that a new stadium.

maybe the Sox become the new team in Nashville since theyre getting a team soon. still in central time zone they xould stay in al central

[ashbury]

On 1/14/2025 at 9:11 AM, nicksaviking said:

How about in the deal they just trade the Pohlad's their 10% share or whatever they own of the White Sox? The Pohlads could then share their business plan for right-sizing baseball teams with the Reinsdorfs.

Right-sizing is just one demonstration of their business plan.  The REAL secret sauce is "always say the quiet part out loud."  Like a James Bond villain.