Taking stock of Chicago's sports team owners

Sports fans are obsessed with rosters: Who's starting which day and who will be there to replace players who leave the team. But as compelling and likely of more significance is who owns the teams and who will succeed them when they're gone.

In Chicago, the five major sports teams are controlled by an individual or a family. In fact, they're recognizable by just their last names: McCaskey. Wirtz. Reinsdorf. Ricketts.

What would their franchises look like without the person at the top?

Bears: The vast McCaskey clan led by Virginia continues to own most of the franchise her father, George "Papa Bear" Halas, bought in 1921. But while the family insists the team is not for sale, keeping control could be tricky.

White Sox: Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf never has offered details about what's next for the franchise he bought in 1981 with group of investors for $19 million. But its future could be overseen by someone outside his family ? and the asking price could reach 10 figures.

Blackhawks: Fresh off his team's second Stanley Cup in four seasons, Rocky Wirtz is the face of a storied franchise he resurrected from his father's frugal grip. His successor could be his son, his cousin or both ? or the decision could spark a family struggle.

Bulls: Since 2010, Michael Reinsdorf, Chairman Jerry's 46-year-old son, has been president and chief operating officer, positions created for him to oversee business operations. The heir-apparent arrived already having owned interests in minor league teams and a stadium management company, with mixed success.

Cubs: The role of chairman Tom Ricketts, along with those of his siblings, is not expected to change any time soon. And unlike other Chicago teams, the Cubs lack the involvement of younger generations whose presence could signal a transition. In fact, none of Tom Ricketts' children have graduated high school yet.

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-spt-0728-page-one-gecko-20130728,0,7192750.story?track=rss

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