According to sources in a detailed report by The Athletic, discussions are underway with a group led by former major league pitcher Dave Stewart. The nature of these talks raises questions about the team's future location, potentially even hinting at a move to Nashville, as Reinsdorf recently met with Nashville's mayor.

The news arrives on the heels of Reinsdorf's request to lawmakers for a hefty $1 billion to help fund a new stadium within a larger development project along the Chicago River, named The 78. This ambitious plan has met with skepticism by fans and local business owners, many of whom feel the looming sale is merely a tactical move.

Bill Guide, proprietor of Cork & Kerry at the Park located near Sox Park, perceives the rumors as strategically timed. He expressed hopes that the owner's motives are genuine, rather than an attempt to siphon more public funds. "I hope it's not just some ruse to lobby for more public money. But at this point, I think it is," Guide said. He insists that any potential sale should keep the team in Chicago and maintain its ties to Bridgeport.

Fan discontent has reached a fever pitch as the White Sox recently recorded their worst losing season. Signs and chants demanding Reinsdorf sell the team have become commonplace at the ballpark, reflecting widespread frustration. The owner, who also owns the Chicago Bulls, attempted to mend relations last month by accepting ultimate responsibility for the disappointing season and assuring fans of better days ahead.

Dave Stewart, the would-be buyer, maintains close connections to former White Sox manager Tony La Russa, known to be within Reinsdorf's trusted inner circle. Mario Scalise, former Sox journalist turned restaurateur at Stix n Brix, believes the sale talks might be a ploy for the new stadium. He remains wary of taxpayer money being used for such a venture, preferring the team to leave if such funding becomes a necessity.

Locals have varied opinions about the potential sale and the request for public funds. Longtime friends gathering at Franco's Ristorante voiced their unanimous disapproval of allocating taxpayer money for a new stadium. Highlighting a precedent from 1981 when Reinsdorf previously used relocation threats to secure Guaranteed Rate Field, the sentiment suggests a wary familiarity with the owner’s tactics.

Reinsdorf’s history with the team, which he acquired for approximately $20 million in 1981, combined with the current stadium lease extending to 2029, adds layers to this unfolding saga. Yet, some community members hold out hope for a new, stable ownership committed to keeping the team in Bridgeport.

Only the New York Yankees have had an ownership tenure longer than Reinsdorf in Major League Baseball. As Reinsdorf nears the end of his career, the crucial question remains whether the White Sox will stay in Chicago or seek a new home, potentially transforming the local sports landscape.