The Next Top Cub: Eight with a Shot

Now that it's official that the Cubbies will be sold at the end of the season, Chicago's favorite guessing game is who is going to be the lucky buyer? Who gets to shell out anywhere between $700-900 million to own the Cubbies, Wrigley Field, a 25% interest in Comcast SportsNet Chicago and the best brand in Chicago and one of the tops in sports? Well, there are probably anywhere from 15 to 20 possible buyers, but here are the seven front runners, in alphabetical order ( and no Darren, HRH Sheik Mohammed isn't one of them):

1. Thomas Begel, Chairman of TMB Industries, a Chicago private equity firm

2. Ron Burkle, Bill Clinton's best friend, the runner-up in the Tribune Co. bidding, still interested in buying the LA Times with Eli Broad, was a bidder for the Washington Nationals

3. John Canning Jr. Chairman and CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners, a Chicago private equity firm and most importantly a past and current minority investor in the Milwaukee Brewers (note especially the past investor, i.e. part of Bud Selig's group)

4. Jerry Colangelo. Chicago native, Chairman and CEO of the Phoenix Suns and former CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks has close ties to Selig

5. Mark Cuban. Pittsburgh native and billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has expressed his interest in buying the Cubs - would need help getting approval from Selig

6. Don Levin. Owner of the AHL Chicago Wolves has transformed the franchise to the point where it will on occasion outdraw the Blackhawks, has actively pursued the Cubs for months.

7. Larry Levy. Chairman of Levy Restaurants, a leading food service concessionaire at ballparks around the country, which would certainly give him an understanding of, and influence in, baseball's councils.

8. Bill Murray. Chicago native, actor and minor league baseball team owner and die-hard Cubs fan. Most likely not a principal owner candidate but definitely someone who will be a participating investor in almost anyone's group who will ask him.