Tom Ricketts: Tradition and Transformation Leading a Legacy Team into the Future · 30:53

In this episode of On Stage, Tom Ricketts, Chairman of the Chicago Cubs, joins Joe Leccese, Chairman Emeritus of Proskauer, for a wide-ranging conversation about stewardship, leadership, and the evolving business of baseball.  Recorded on November 19, 2025, at SBJ Dealmakers Conference, the discussion explores how Ricketts balances the weight of tradition that comes with owning one of the most iconic franchises in sports while positioning the Cubs for long-term success in a rapidly changing industry.  Key themes include:  - Owning a Legacy Franchise: What it means to lead a century-old team with a deeply rooted fan base and global profile.  - Long-Term Vision: How the Cubs think about competitive windows, financial discipline, and sustainable success.  - Business of Baseball: Ricketts’ perspective on league economics, media evolution, and the forces reshaping MLB.  - Leadership & Governance: Lessons from navigating change, aligning stakeholders, and making decisions with generational impact.  - Wrigley Field & the Fan Experience: How the Cubs continue to evolve their ballpark and surrounding ecosystem while honoring tradition.  It’s an insightful conversation with one of sports’ most dynamic owners — offering perspective on how legacy organizations adapt, endure, and evolve.  🔔Subscribe to SBJ on YouTube: https://bit.ly/41bbXaV #mlb #chicagocubs #wrigleyfield #wrigleyville 0:00 – Opening Question: Joy Back in Baseball? 0:46 – Welcome to SBJ On Stage 1:00 – Introducing Tom Ricketts and Joe Lasisi 1:09 – Balancing Tradition and Transformation 1:33 – Wrigleyville Development: Vision and Impact 4:28 – Sports-Adjacent Real Estate: No One-Size-Fits-All 6:12 – Changing Game Day Consumption Patterns 7:15 – Economic Challenges and Strategic Choices 8:20 – Neighborhood Impact and Brand Value 9:18 – Media Landscape Shift: RSNs to Streaming 10:31 – Launching Marquee Network and Streaming Strategy 12:04 – Future of Streaming vs. Traditional Revenue 12:42 – Will Local Rights Become Obsolete? 13:34 – National Broadcast Growth and New Deals 14:18 – Franchise Valuation: Then vs. Now 16:08 – Scarcity Value and Long-Term Investment 18:02 – International Expansion: MLB’s Global Play 20:02 – Emerging Markets: Mexico and India 21:02 – Private Equity in Sports Ownership 22:54 – Capital Structures and Future Trends 23:19 – Sports Betting and Prop Bet Concerns 24:41 – Rule Changes and Fan Experience 26:41 – Analytics Revolution in Scouting 27:57 – Player Adaptability in the AI Era 29:05 – Future On-Field Changes: Speed and Defense 29:40 – Learning from Other Leagues’ Global Efforts 30:00 – Closing Remarks and Takeaways

January 14, 2026