Word last week that White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and prospective owner Dave Stewart have discussed the possible sale of the team raised more than a few questions about the franchise’s future, including the possibility of the Sox leaving Chicago.
But commissioner Rob Manfred on Wednesday said he believes the Sox aren’t going anywhere, even if they are sold.
“Chicago is an anchor city for us,” Manfred, making media rounds before the World Series, said on FS1’s Breakfast Ball podcast. “I think that the White Sox are in a difficult situation. I think the location of the stadium is tough, but I have confidence that things are going to work out in Chicago and that we’re going to continue to have two teams in Chicago.”
A source close to Reinsdorf said the chairman has grown increasingly skeptical about getting a deal done to build a new stadium under the 78 South Loop development. The Sox’ lease with the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority at Guaranteed Rate Field expires in 2029.
The Sox made a splash when renderings for a new ballpark on a 62-acre development were unveiled by developer Related Midwest in February, and the Sox and head groundskeeper Roger Bossard built a temporary diamond at the 78 location, against the backdrop of the city’s skyline. Reinsdorf has said he would help pay for the stadium, but Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been reluctant about having taxpayer dollars pay for a new stadium.
Stewart, 67, a former Oakland A’s All-Star, World Series champion and baseball executive, has ties to other cities that might desire a team, including Oakland where the A’s are leaving for Las Vegas (by way of Sacramento next season) and Nashville, a potential expansion site but likely not for another several years or so. A source close to Stewart said his ownership group isn’t aiming to buy a team for one particular site. More than anything, Stewart wants to be an owner.