Owner Jerry Reinsdorf open to offers in sale of White Sox

Jerry Reinsdorf, the 88-year-old owner of the Chicago White Sox, is reportedly in active discussions to sell the team. Word has it that former MLB star Dave Stewart is leading the group eyeing the club, marking what could be a seismic moment for the franchise. But like most things with Reinsdorf, the situation is a bit murky. Details of the talks remain unclear, and how far along they are is anyone’s guess.

Reinsdorf’s reputation is one that stirs mixed emotions in Chicago. Since purchasing the White Sox in 1981 for a modest $20 million, he has been both celebrated and criticized, sometimes in the same breath. He oversaw the club’s high-water mark - the 2005 World Series win - but he’s also presided over long stretches of disappointment. From 2009 to 2019, the team rarely finished above .500, and even the recent postseason appearances in 2020 and 2021 seem like distant memories now. In 2024, the White Sox reached a new low, losing 121 games - the most in modern baseball history.

Sources inside the organization and beyond point to Reinsdorf as the common denominator in the club’s struggles. Criticisms range from his late embrace of analytics to a reluctance to invest in player development and stadium amenities. Some argue his fierce loyalty to long-serving personnel has created a stagnant culture. These issues have left fans in Chicago frustrated, many calling for Reinsdorf to move on.

Their wish might soon come true, though maybe not in the way they expected. Dave Stewart, the former MLB pitcher, coach, and executive, is the face of the group reportedly interested in buying the team. Stewart is no stranger to leadership roles, having once served as general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s also been heavily involved in efforts to bring an MLB team to Nashville, Tennessee. His current group, Smoke34, is said to be the one in talks with Reinsdorf.

This isn’t the first time the word “Nashville” has been thrown around in connection to the White Sox. Back in August 2023, reports surfaced that Reinsdorf was considering a move within Chicago - or even out of town entirely. Nashville was one of the potential destinations mentioned. Reinsdorf was quick to downplay the speculation. “That article didn’t come from me,” he said, insisting that while the team had decisions to make about their future, he wasn’t threatening to relocate. Still, the whispers haven’t stopped, and meetings with Nashville officials later that year only fueled the speculation further.

It’s a strange time for White Sox fans, who have seen their team go from the top of the baseball world to the bottom in less than two decades. The prospect of new ownership offers a glimmer of hope, but with Reinsdorf still in charge for now, and the specter of a potential move to Nashville, the future is anything but certain. One thing is clear, though - the winds of change are blowing through Chicago, and they’re carrying more than just October’s chill.