Selig says nothing new on Cubs sale

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday night there is nothing new with the sale of the Cubs.

"We're where we were," Selig said before a dinner in Chicago honoring Chicago businessman John Canning, a friend of Selig's who is considered one of the favorites to buy the team. Canning has partial ownership in the Milwaukee Brewers, the team Selig once owned.

Billionaire Sam Zell took over the Tribune Co. last year and plans to sell the team and apparently Wrigley Field in separate deals. But the proposed sale of the historic ballpark to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority has gotten bogged down.

Former Gov. James Thompson, who heads the ISFA, said this week that the agency and Tribune are still negotiating. The sides have exchanged views but not formal offers, he said. City and state officials would also have to approve any deal.

Asked if the Wrigley Field situation was holding up the sale of the team, Selig said: "I don't know. There are a bunch of things. It just has to wait. There is nothing new. … You're better off talking to Sam Zell, frankly."

Baseball owners would have to approve the sale when it reaches that stage.