By Ameet Sachdev |Tribune reporter

11:20 PM CDT, July 18, 2008

 

At least seven groups submitted opening bids for the Chicago Cubs and its historic ballpark as the deadline passed Friday for proposals to buy one of professional sports' iconic franchises.

The Tribune learned Friday that a Chicago real-estate firm has made an offer to buy Wrigley Field separately, because the Tribune Co.'s auction of the Cubs also includes an unconventional plan to sell the ballpark separately. The company, which also owns the Chicago Tribune, sees the potential for reaping more for the team and stadium if they are sold separately.

Richard Kaplan, president of Chicago-based Syndicated Equities Corp., said Friday that he could not resist making a bid for what he said is one of the world's most recognizable landmarks. Syndicated Equities specializes in buying properties such as shopping centers and hotels and selling shares to investors.

But the idea of a separate sale of Wrigley Field raises questions about whether such a deal is financially feasible, and who would control revenues generated from the ballpark.