A seismic shift could be on the horizon for the Chicago White Sox. Longtime owner Jerry Reinsdorf is reportedly considering selling the franchise he’s owned since 1981. According to Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic, the 88-year-old Reinsdorf is “open” to the idea and has already been in discussions with a potential ownership group led by former MLB pitcher and three-time World Series champion Dave Stewart.
While it remains unclear how serious Reinsdorf is about parting ways with the White Sox, this news has sent shockwaves through the baseball world, particularly among fans who have long called for change at the top. Reinsdorf, who also owns the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, has previously hinted that his heirs should sell the White Sox after his death while keeping the Bulls.
This development comes at a crucial time for the White Sox, who are navigating both a dismal 2024 season and uncertainty about their long-term home. With the team’s lease at Guaranteed Rate Field set to expire in 2029, there has been talk of the organization pushing for a new stadium. If a sale were to happen, a new ownership group could make fresh decisions about the team’s future in Chicago, including where they play.
A Frustrated Fanbase
For many White Sox fans, news of a potential sale would be seen as a welcome change. While Reinsdorf’s ownership saw the team win the 2005 World Series, that success has been overshadowed by years of mediocrity and stagnation. The 2024 season was especially disastrous, as the White Sox set a new MLB record for futility by losing 121 games. Fans have grown increasingly critical of Reinsdorf’s unwillingness to modernize the franchise and invest at the level needed to compete consistently.
Despite being one of the longest-tenured owners in baseball, Reinsdorf’s conservative approach to team-building has frustrated a fanbase eager for more aggressive leadership. The potential arrival of a new ownership group, led by someone with a baseball pedigree like Stewart, could signal a shift toward revitalizing the franchise.
What’s Next for the White Sox?
Reinsdorf’s potential sale is not the first ownership shake-up in the AL Central this offseason. Another team in the division is also exploring a possible sale, raising questions about the direction of several franchises within the division.
If Reinsdorf decides to move forward with selling the team, the ramifications could be felt throughout the organization. A new owner could reshape the front office, overhaul player development, and make strategic changes that alter the trajectory of the franchise. With the team underperforming both on the field and in fan engagement, fresh leadership could be just what the White Sox need to rebuild and compete again.
For now, all eyes will be on Reinsdorf as he contemplates his next move. Whether he decides to sell or not, the future of the Chicago White Sox is at a crossroads, and change appears inevitable.
