Pace of Sox Sale Leaves New Ballpark Plans Up in the Air

BOSTON-The Boston Red Sox was put up for sale last October but Sox executives have reportedly declared that any discussions between the bidders for the team and the team management must wait until the season is over. This puts plans for a new ballpark for the Sox, which now appears dependent upon the new owners, on hold for a while longer.

When the Sox, which is owned by Yawkey family trusts, was put up for sale it was assumed that the new majority owner would be known by now. It is unclear why Sox executives insist on waiting until after the season to meet with potential bidders, but unconfirmed reports state that the team executives do not want the players to be distracted if they are able to make it to the playoffs.

The slow pace of the team’s sale has implications for the building of a new Fenway Park. The team’s ballpark project was adopted by the state legislature last July and the state has pledged $100 million for road and infrastructure work. The plan had initially been to build a new Fenway Park right next to the old one but the Red Sox had difficulty in finding financing for the project and the struggle prompted calls for the team to look at other sites.