So, you’re sitting there, maybe watching a Cubs game on a summer afternoon, and that thought drifts in: Who actually owns this team? It’s a fair question, and the answer is a lot more interesting than a single billionaire with a funny hat. Let’s pull up a chair and unpack this.
It’s Not One Person—It’s a Whole Crew
The short answer? The Chicago Cubs are owned by the Ricketts family. But not just one Ricketts—it’s a whole clan situation. The family bought the team back in 2009 for a cool $845 million, and they’ve been the captains ever since.
Imagine your favorite band, but instead of instruments, they’re holding spreadsheets and season tickets. The family is led by Tom Ricketts, who serves as the chairman, but his siblings—Pete, Laura, and Todd—all have their hands in the pot. It’s a family business, like a pizza joint, but with more home runs and less garlic.
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How Did They Get Here? A Quick Flashback
The Ricketts didn’t just stumble into Wrigley Field with a suitcase of cash. The family fortune comes from Ameritrade, the online brokerage founded by their father, Joe Ricketts. Think of it as a financial springboard that let them dive into baseball.
The purchase itself was a big deal—it ended the Tribune Company’s messy ownership era. Before the Ricketts, the Cubs were owned by a media giant, which felt a bit like your local newspaper also running the circus. Now, the team has a dedicated family face.
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But Wait—Is It Really Just the Family?
Here’s where it gets cool. The Ricketts family isn’t sitting on the throne alone. Part of the team’s ownership is spread out among a group of limited partners. These are wealthy folks—like famous investors or local business moguls—who bought smaller slices of the pie.
Think of it like a potluck dinner for billionaires. The Ricketts bring the main dish (the Cubs), and everyone else brings the sides (money and support). It’s a little messy, a little fun, and it means the Cubs aren’t owned by one moody tycoon.
What About the Wrigley Family? The Old Guard
You might remember the Wrigley name—as in gum, not just the field. For decades, the Wrigley family owned the Cubs, from 1921 to 1981. They were the original baseball royalty, chewing their way into the city’s heart.
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When the Ricketts took over, it was like a new dynasty stepping in. But don’t feel too nostalgic—the Wrigleys sold because they were tired of losing. Sound familiar? Every Cubs fan knows that ache.
Why It Matters Who’s in Charge
Ownership isn’t just about who signs the checks. It shapes everything. The Ricketts have poured money into Wrigley Field renovations, built up the roster, and even made the team a World Series champion in 2016. They’re not just landlords—they’re caretakers.
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Compare that to, say, a team owned by a hedge fund. The Cubs feel more personal, like a family heirloom you can watch on TV. Sure, there’s drama—ticket prices, free-agent debates—but that’s true of any love affair.
The Fun Comparison: A Neighborhood Block Party
Imagine your local block party. The Ricketts family is the family that owns the grill. They decide the menu, who plays music, and maybe who gets the last hot dog. The limited partners are the neighbors who brought the potato salad and lawn chairs.
And the fans? Oh, we’re the whole street, cheering from our porches. Ownership is just the structure—we are the heartbeat. That’s the secret sauce.
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So, What’s the Final Takeaway?
The owner of the Cubs isn’t a single face—it’s a clan with a last name, a spread of partners, and a whole city watching. Tom Ricketts is the most visible, but the decision-making is a shared gig.
Next time you see a Cubs game, ask yourself: Would I want to be in that boardroom? Probably not—it’s full of suits and tax forms. But you’d want to be in the stands, under the ivy, where the real ownership lives.
And hey, if you ever bump into Tom Ricketts at a hot dog stand, just say thanks for 2016. He’ll probably smile. That’s the perk of family ownership—they have to be nice to you.