Report: Jerry Reinsdorf in “active discussions” to sell the White Sox

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is reportedly “open to selling” the team, according to The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli. Sources told the publication that Reinsdorf is in “active discussions” with a group led by former All-Star pitcher Dave Stewart.

Reinsdorf, 88, has grown to become controversial in the sport and extremely unpopular among White Sox fans. It’s not hard to see why, especially after the team set a modern-era record of 121 losses in 2024 among a myriad of internal issues.

The current White Sox chairman originally led a group that purchased the team for roughly $20 million back in 1981. Following in the footsteps of Bill Veeck, Reinsdorf has become the second-longest active owner behind only the Steinbrenner family of the Yankees. Reinsdorf owns an estimated 19% stake in the franchise, according to Forbes, which also places the approximate value of the club at $2 billion. That entire stake is expected to be part of sale discussions, writes Ghiroli.

This marks a significant shift for the oldest majority owner in baseball, who’s publicly balked at the idea of selling the team in the past.

“Friends of mine have said, ‘Why don’t you sell, why don’t you get out?’” Reinsdorf told reporters during an August 2023 press conference. “The answer has always been, ‘I like what I’m doing, as bad as it is. And what else would I do?’ I’m a boring guy. I don’t play golf. I don’t play bridge. What else would I do? And I want to make it better. I want to make it better before I go.”

Since then, things have somehow gotten worse as countless reports from most major publications have shed light on the turmoil and dysfunction that have long been festering inside the organization. It’s unclear if this has led to Reinsdorf’s change in stance, though it’s likely played some role after such an abysmal season.

As for the ongoing discussions between Reinsdorf and Stewart, the stage of these talks and the overall likelihood of a sale are all unknown. An even bigger question mark that now looms large is whether Stewart would intend for the White Sox to remain in Chicago.

Stewart, 67, recently led an investment group called Music City Baseball with intentions of establishing a majority minority-owned expansion team in Nashville. Things didn’t pan out as planned, resulting in Stewart’s departure earlier this year due to “philosophical differences.” Also unsuccessful in his attempts to purchase the Marlins in 2017 and a portion of the Coliseum in 2021, the three-time World Series champion has shifted focus to bringing a National Women’s Soccer League team to Nashville instead. He and partner Lonnie Murray won’t know their fate until a decision is announced next month.

Less than a year ago, Reinsdorf made headlines when he met with Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell. Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago released an article in August 2023 detailing Reinsdorf’s series of moves that included exploring options for the White Sox beyond Guaranteed Rate Field – both inside and outside of Chicago. Based on that report, a move to Nashville was referenced and appeared to be on the table, though nothing was considered imminent.

Since this meeting, renderings of a new stadium at ‘The 78’ location in the South Loop have stolen most of the spotlight while Reinsdrof has sought $1 billion in public funding. Governor J.B. Pritzker hasn’t been as enthusiastic about the project, saying in February that “taxpayer dollars are precious” and he’s “really reluctant” to subsidize such a project. 

It’s difficult to predict what the future may hold for the stadium project and the White Sox franchise after this new report. Reinsdorf has indicated in the past that his family should sell the White Sox and keep the Bulls after his death. Now, that process could be coming sooner if this ends up being more than a ploy to get a new ballpark built in Chicago.

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