(670 The Score) As rumors swirl that the White Sox could go up for sale, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Wednesday expressed his belief that the organization will remain in Chicago even if it’s sold.
A week ago, news broke that 88-year-old White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is open to selling the franchise and that a group led by former MLB pitcher Dave Stewart has been in discussions with Reinsdorf. Stewart and his group have long worked to bring an expansion franchise to Nashville, which stoked worry that the White Sox could potentially be relocated if they’re sold.
Manfred’s comments seemed to quell the concerns that the White Sox could leave the city, though he also indicated he understands why the organization wants to build a new stadium.
“Chicago is an anchor city for us,” Manfred said in an interview on Breakfast Ball on Fox Sports 1. “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.”
Reinsdorf headlined a group that purchased the White Sox for $19 million in 1981, and he’s been in charge of them ever since. The White Sox won a World Series title in 2005 but have disappointed since then, failing to win a single playoff series since their championship.
The White Sox are coming off a horrific season in which they went 41-121, setting the modern MLB record for the most losses in a single season.