University of Iowa

2008-07-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, currently I'm in the middle of a summer workshop at the University of Iowa, and I'm glad i actually got some free time to post something up on the site. Below is an official editorial paper I wrote specifically for the workshop.

Bidding For Wrigley: Why Mark Cuban Should Be the Cubs' Next Owner

In the world of baseball, one of this year’s hot stories has been the Chicago Cubs. Yes, the team has played great so far, but we’re not talking wins and losses, we’re talking ownership and management.

It’s no secret that the Tribune Co. and the Cubs will be parting ways at the end of 2008, but the question that remains is who will be the teams new owner in 2009. The bidding for the team has come down to three parties, the Ricketts family, founders of TD Ameritrade Holding Co.; a group led by Sports Acquisition Holding Co.; and Mark Cuban, an entrepreneur and self-made billionaire.

Cuban, current owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, has always been a very opinionated public figure, but that’s not the type of owner that the MLB is looking for. Since 2000, Cuban has been fined thirteen times for over $1.6 Million by the NBA for making critical statement about the league and its referees. But even while being such an abrasive owner, his upside is too much to ignore.

With the Mavericks, Cuban was able to turn around a very unpopular franchise, and under his ownership, the team’s yearly revenue has doubled. Forbes listed the Mavericks as the 6th most valuable NBA franchise in 2007.

Once a buyer is selected the MLB's group of owners must vote in favor of the team's sale to that specific buyer, meaning if the MLB really doesn't want to deal with Mark Cuban, they don't have to. But Cuban not only has the experience to run a major sports franchise, but has the passion as a sports fan to turn one of Sports’ most marketable franchise’s into an even better one, making him the perfect choice.

Meet Frank Florez...

2008-07-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

...A Sports ~~Writer~~ Fan

My Sports page has been up for over a month now, and I started thinking... you know me as a sports journalist, but you don't really know me as a sports fan. Today i want to let you get to know me in the sense of a fan. Here's where my allegiances lie.

Favorite Teams: In Chicago...

White Sox - MLB

I'm a southsider, simple enough. I've grown up watching the Sox and I've been rooting for them as long as I remember. I don't hate Cubs fans, far from it, I just feel bad for them..

Bears - NFL

The next few teams are going to be pretty predictable, I love my city, I love my sports, I love my Bears. But that doesn't mean i wouldn't love to see Brett Favre in orange and blue.

Bulls - NBA

I'm a Basketball man, and it's easily my favorite sport to cover. Growing up in the '90s meant growing up with Michael Jordan's Bulls, growing up with a dynasty, and growing up with a legend. How couldn't I have fallen in love with the Bulls?

Blackhawks - NHL

I grew up loving hockey, but with the lockout and all the turmoil the sport has been through, there's been a little drifting apart. No love lost though, I've been to more Blackhawks games than Bears games (1-0) so take that as you will.

Richards Bulldogs (HS) - IHSA
Yes my soon to be High School Alma Mater, maybe I'm bias because I'm still here, but i couldn't think of anything better than rooting for your hometown high school team with hundreds of your friends in the stands.

Dont Forget: Rush - AFL, Fire - MLS

Favorite Teams: Collegiate Teams

Penn State Nittany Lions

Now here's the one curveball in my list of favorite teams. There's really no reason behind my fandom here other than my dad was watching a football game on ABC and i asked him who he wanted to win, "Penn State," and its really just history from there. Behind the big three (Bulls, Sox, Bears) PSU is next in line in the overall running for my favorite team. Last year i attended their football game at UofI and got to expirience what it's like to be the "enemy" in unfriendly territory.

Illinois Fighting Illini

This one makes more sense, I've been to UofI basketball games and football games and it's pretty much a case of exposure here. Still, if i had to choose one, I'd still go for my Nittany Lions.

Favorite Teams: Outside Chicago

Indianapolis Colts - NFL
Now before you call me a bandwagon jumper let me make my case. I've already told you I've never been to a Bears game, but i HAVE attended two Colts games. Plus, its a whole lot easier to get tickets when you have family ties to the organization. If you could guess, this issue came up in Super Bowl XLI.

??? - NBA
The only major sport in which i don't have a secondary team that I like to root for, but growing up with Michael, who needs one? I like the underdog, I rooted for the 76ers to topple the Pistons in last years playoffs, I loved the Golden State story from 2 years ago, but theres no definitive favorite. Maybe Oklahoma City will spark my interest? I like to root for the Heat, but thats mainly for Dwyane Wade, but for now though, I will say I DO love following the young Portland Trailblazers.

Oakland A's - MLB
A Childhood love, my first little league baseball team, so they kind of stuck with me. I like the team, but I also like the organization as a whole, they seem to always get rid of their stars at the right times yet still stay competative every year.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Philadelphia Flyers - NHL
If i lived in Pennsylvania, i'd probably be called a fairweather fan.. Like I said I've always been interested in Hockey, and I still remember playing NHL games on sega genesis. And as a six year old, i always picked Philadelphia "because i like their colors," and Pittsburgh because there a professional sports team who chooses to use a Penguin as their mascot.

Favorite Players

Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat/Richards High School - NBA
It's hard not to love the guy who has done so much for his former high school, but other than not forgetting where he came from, hes an unbelievable player to watch. It's remarkable to see how many akward and off balance shots just seem to fall through the net for him, and in addition to that, he's one of the most clutch players in the game today.

Peyton Manning - Colts - NFL
Other than the fact that he's the Best player on one of my Top 5 favorite teams, he's an offensive genius. Manning is easily one of the smartest players in the league today, he even coordinates the offense in week 17 when hes out of the game. Then again, maybe i just love his commercials.

Chase Utley - Philadelphia Phillies - MLB
He's hits for power, he hits for average, he plays great defense, he does it all.

Sidney Crosby
Dubbed the "next one," believe to be the greatest thing to happen to the NHL since Wayne Gretzky. It's hard not to be dazzled by such a mix of youth and talent.

Rivalry Stances

Now I'm not necessarily a fan of these teams, but when these match-ups come up, this is where i stand...

North Carolina Over Duke
Now I AM a Tyler Hansbrough fan, and thats mainly why I favor UNC over the Blue Devils, plus i love their jerseys.

Red Sox Over Yankees
This used to look like less of a bandwagon pick before 2004, but being from Chicago, I can't help but hate the Evil Empire that is the Yankees.

Colts Over Patriots
Mannings, Colts, you should've seen this coming.

NEITHER Michigan or Ohio State (NCAA)
Being a die-hard Penn State fan I can't stand having to see these two continue to win every year. The only good part about this match up is that one team has to lose.

Tiger Woods Over The Field
I never got a chance to see Jack Nicklaus play, but if Tiger continues down the career path that hes been on, then I will get to say I got to see the greatest of all time.

The CSG: Blog II

University of Iowa

Meet Frank Florez...