Tribune Co. chairman a Blago shakedown target

After purchasing the media conglomerate the Tribune Company, Sam Zell made it clear that he wanted to sell the Chicago Cubs baseball team. At one time part of Zell's plan was to sell their home, Wrigley Field, as part of a separate package. And then-Governor Rod Blagojevich was interested in having the state of Illinois buy it.

An asinine idea...Blago's that is. Yes, I'm aware the state owns US Cellular Field, where the White Sox play---it shouldn't--but the state is broke, and Wrigley Field is almost 100 years old.

The Tribune is understandably somewhat cautious in concerning this story, but the competing Chicago Sun-Times is not:

Tribune Co. chairman Sam Zell was targeted for $25,000 by the Blagojevich campaign last November while the company's Wrigley Field deal was under consideration and two weeks before the ex-governor was arrested, internal campaign documents obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show.

Zell's name appeared on a Nov. 25, 2008, document titled "Focus List" among a group of 33 potential donors. Alongside Zell's name was the $25,000 figure and a notation that read: "Rod to follow up." On a Sept. 22, 2008, fund-raising document titled "Call List," an entry noted "Sam Party on 9.27."

In another campaign document dated Dec. 3, 2008, Tribune Co. sports consultant Mark Ganis is listed among 143 names of potential donors for tentative or scheduled fund-raising events. Next to Ganis' name are the notations "New York Event" and "Rod went to dinner on 9/19. Rob needs to follow up."

The Tribune Co., parent of the Chicago Tribune, hired Ganis to help structure a sale of Wrigley. His name also appeared on the September call list next to a notation that read: "Patti and Rod dinner."

Two days ago the Trib disclosed that Zell was interviewed in January by FBI agents; Zell may end up being a witness in an upcoming Blagojevich trial.

Blago was arrested on December 9, in one of the most-quoted parts of the criminal complaint against the Chicago Democrat, his wife Patti, complained about the Tribune editorial board, a harsh and consistent critic of her husband. Federal wiretaps captured her saying, "Hold up that (expletive) Cubs (expletive)."

For his part Blago, a lifelong Cubs fan, played hardball too, and suggested some roster changes for the Trib, stating that "our recommendation is fire all those (expletive) people, get 'em the (expletive) out of there and get us some editorial support."

Thank God Blago is gone.

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