Storms are in White Sox forecast after potential team sale to Justin Ishbia is unveiled

Jerry Reinsdorf’s vague succession plan raises red flags around the team’s short-term success

The White Sox’s second failed rebuild in a decade is looming after Chicago announced on Thursday that Justin Ishbia and Jerry Reinsdorf’s long-term agreement allows Ishbia to obtain controlling interest in the franchise in 2035. According to the press release, Ishbia will contribute to reducing the Sox’s debt and help fund “ongoing team operations” from now through 2026. From 2029 to 2033, Reinsdorf has the option to sell Ishbia controlling interest. Ishbia can finally purchase controlling interest outright in 2035.

As usual, the Sox provided a whole lot of nothing neatly wrapped up in pretty packaging. On the surface, the loose path towards Reinsdorf’s de-throning is a cause for celebration, as Sox fans have been begging for a new owner for years. The potential plan laid out is simply a potential plan. There are no promises of a new owner, and there’s no guarantee that Ishbia will be interested in claiming controlling interest in the Sox in a decade. The investment agreement allows Reinsdorf to check off the box that requires him to show a smidgen of care in being a responsible owner without having to commit to any actions that show it.

So what does this mean for the rebuild and team’s outlook? Buckle up, friends, because it’s not going to get better. Things might get even worse than they are now.

With Ishbia locked in as a strong second-in-line owner, Reinsdorf has created a better excuse not to invest any more than the bare minimum in the Sox. Why would a notoriously cheap owner pay for star players, a fancy new stadium, or the best coaches and scouts if he has Ishbia to bail him out? The only potential bright spot in this ordeal is Ishbia’s lengthy interest in acquiring control bodes well for the Sox staying in Chicago.

If Reinsdorf acts in true Reinsdorf fashion, this current Sox rebuild will crash and burn before Ishbia can claim controlling interest. Rather than become buyers at future Winter Meetings or at the trade deadline and equip the Sox to complete their rebuild, Reinsdorf would rather trade young guys like Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero, and Shane Smith for pennies. Until he uncharacteristically acts like a true MLB owner, Sox fans should expect the payroll to continue being slashed and talent to flee to any organization the second they have the chance.