Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is open to selling the team, The Athletic reported Wednesday.
The New York Times vertical also reported that the 88-year-old owner is in talks with a group to potentially do so.
In the past, Reinsdorf has balked at any talk of selling the team. Reinsdorf purchased his stake in the Sox in 1981 for $20 million, leading the charge to build Guaranteed Rate Field. The team is now estimated to be worth more than $2 billion.
The White Sox are looking to build a new stadium in Chicago’s South Loop, but are coming off a historically bad season. They went 41-121 this year, breaking the modern major league record for most losses in a season. They had the majors’ worst team batting average at .221 and on-base percentage at .278, and they finished last with 507 runs, 133 homers and 485 RBIs.
Reinsdorf is reportedly shopping the team to a group led by former major leaguer Dave Stewart, according to the Athletic.
When asked for a comment, The White Sox responded saying, “We are responding with our typical ‘not commenting on rumors and speculation.’”
