Sam Kennedy declares John Henry is 'never selling the Boston Red Sox'

Sports franchises are getting more and more valuable by the year, with the Los Angeles Lakers just selling for $12.5 billion, the richest sale in North American sports history.

The Boston Red Sox were estimated by Sportico to be worth $6.65 billion earlier this year, but would likely sell for more given that most recent sports franchise sales have brought in more than their public valuations.

It doesn't matter, though, according to team president and CEO Sam Kennedy. Joining The Greg Hill Show for Thursday morning's Front Office Report, Kennedy declared that team owner John Henry and his family have no intention of selling the Red Sox any time soon. Listen to the full interview above.

"It doesn't matter, and I mean that sincerely," Kennedy said. "It just doesn't matter. John Henry, Linda Henry, the Henry family are never selling the Boston Red Sox. And that's a soundbite you can play forevermore. I'd bet anything on that."

While members of ownership have denied interest in selling the team in the past, this was the most definitive rejection that we've heard.

There has been ongoing speculation about Henry's intentions given that he has not been seen around Fenway Park as much as he used to (until the last few weeks, at least), has not spoken to local media in years, has expanded Fenway Sports Group's portfolio to all kinds of other ventures, and also recently sold one of his other professional teams (the Pittsburgh Penguins).

But if Kennedy is to be believed, then it seems that the Red Sox remain central to Henry's plans moving forward.

Greg Hill followed up by asking Kennedy about the New York Yankees' recent $2.6 billion financing deal with private equity firm Apollo Sports Capital, and whether that's an arrangement the Red Sox might ever enter into.

"Inside of Fenway Sports Group, we have 25, 30 investors of all types, all different types," Kennedy said. "But John and Linda Henry, Tom Werner, Mike Gordon are the investors and owners of the club that run the club, and that has been consistent for 25 years, and I would bet for the next 25 years – at least 25 years, if not longer – that will continue. So, not something we're focused on. Just focused on trying to figure out how we're going to get back on track this week."