Justin Ishbia Backs Out of Twins Bid, Shifts Focus to Expanding White Sox Stake
Billionaire brothers Justin and Mat Ishbia are no longer pursuing the purchase of the Minnesota Twins from the Pohlad family, according to Jon Greenberg of The Athletic. Instead, Justin Ishbia is now focused on increasing his minority stake in the Chicago White Sox. Reports from Sportico last month revealed that the Ishbia brothers had already acquired a small share of the White Sox in 2021.
This development marks a significant setback for the ongoing sale of the Twins. The Pohlad family, which has owned the franchise for four decades, announced in October that they were open to selling the team. By early January, The Athletic’s Dan Hayes reported that there was strong interest from multiple potential buyers, with the Ishbias emerging as frontrunners. The sale was initially expected to be finalized by Opening Day, but with the Ishbias stepping back, the Pohlads must now explore other options.
The Ishbia brothers already co-own the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, with Mat Ishbia serving as the majority owner. If they had acquired the Twins, Justin Ishbia would have taken on the role of controlling owner. However, the extent of their negotiations with the Pohlads remains unclear.
Beyond the Twins, this move could have significant implications for the White Sox. Greenberg notes that some insiders speculate Ishbia’s increased investment could pave the way for him to eventually take majority control of the team from longtime owner Jerry Reinsdorf. However, White Sox Vice President of Communications Scott Reifert refuted that claim, clarifying that while limited partners have received an offer to sell their shares, it does not impact team leadership or provide a direct path to ownership control.
Reinsdorf, who turns 89 next week, has owned the White Sox since 1981 and the NBA’s Chicago Bulls since the mid-1980s. He has long stated that his family should sell the White Sox after his passing. Last October, he reportedly discussed a potential sale with a group led by former MLB pitcher Dave Stewart, though it’s unclear if those talks gained traction. Stewart has since taken a special assistant role with the Oakland A’s.
The White Sox’s future has also sparked speculation regarding a possible relocation. The team’s lease at Guaranteed Rate Field expires in 2029, and Reinsdorf previously pushed for $1 billion in public funding for a new stadium in Chicago’s South Loop. As of last October, the organization was still pursuing the project.
