Only a handful of people knew what the Triple A Iowa Cubs full-time employees were waiting for when they were summoned to a restaurant in the left field corner of Principal Park shortly after Christmas.
Michael Gartner, the majority owner of Iowa Cubs since 1999, planned a staff meeting on December 28, which coincides with the end date of the team’s sale to Endeavor. Simulcast was set up for Zoom because some employees are leaving town for the holidays. When Gartner spoke to the staff, he gave a short speech and explained that he had an envelope. “I just wanted to give you your new business card.”
“And he actually had this smile on his face, it’s really cool, but something else will happen,” broadcast director Alex Cohen told Tribune. “You can never expect such a thing, but if someone pulls it off and intends to do it the way he did, it would be Michael.”
Gartner has revealed that all full-time employees will receive a portion of the team’s sale. Gartner and the Ownership Group wanted to recognize the people behind the scenes who helped the team’s day-to-day operations. Sam Bernabe, president and general manager of the University of Iowa, estimates that 23 full-time employees received $ 2,000 each year they worked for the organization. The total has reached $ 600,000.
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Surprising gestures caused a lot of shock, hugs and tears.
“He took care of me,” Cohen said. “Just answering the phone and seeing the normally stoic person in the organization sheds tears of joy at trying to check 20 years of loyalty, like college tuition. It will change. An event for us. “
Bernabe, who had a small investment in the team, said that after Gartner announced the idea, the ownership group immediately joined the plan, required a “five-second conversation” and awarded it over another 10 seconds. He said he had figured out how to do it. “
“The first idea wasn’t to do it to help them, the idea was to do it to thank them, and if it helps them in the long run, it thank them. That’s an advantage, “Bernabbe told Tribune.
Grinding in the baseball season means spending more time with colleagues than with family. It can create close staff who are regulars in the Iowa Cubs office, where Gartner was routinely attended.
“Minor league baseball isn’t known as a place to get rich. I work here because I like it,” said GM Randy Wehofer, vice president and assistant. “Everyone looked at each other and was like,’Did you hear him right?'”
Gartner, a former newspaper editor and president of NBC News (1988–93), is deeply rooted in Iowa. Born in Des Moines, the 83-year-old woman was at one point the editor and president of the Des Moines Register (1974-85) and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize as the editor of the Daily Tribune in Ames, Iowa. (1993-99).
“Running a minor league organization probably symbolizes what Michael is and who he is, that is, he loves Iowa,” Bernabe said. “He loves this town, loves this state, and owning a local baseball team within that time frame is icing on the cake for him.
“It was his responsibility not only to maintain (team’s) integrity, but to try to improve it. And we were trying to improve the operation of our fans in central Iowa every day. Was the basis of all that. “
In the industry’s challenges after the pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season, Gartner and Iowa Cubs did not dismiss or dismiss full-time employees during the lost year.
“He knew that when we returned to full strength, we didn’t have to retrain our staff to do what we needed.” All of this worked together to give the big picture. This is just another footnote to the long story of all the ways he treated us well. “
Various factors contributed to the decision to sell the Iowa Cubs, according to Bernabe, who said Gartner was ready to hand over the Iowa Cubs. Gartner’s comments were not obtained. Iowa’s owning group was pleased with Endeavor’s vision and its promotions and financial resources. Diamond Baseball Holdings, a subsidiary of Endeavor, owns and operates the team. This is part of the minor league team they acquired. Iowa Cubs has other Triple A affiliates Scranton / Wilkes-Barrail Riders (New York Yankees), Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals), Gwinnet Stripers (Atlanta Braves), and Diamond Baseball Holdings minor league baseball. Joined as part of the ball portfolio.
All Iowa full-time employees are held under new ownership, including Bernabe, who maintains his role in maintaining long-term continuity. The Chicago Cubs were supportive and understood why they chose to sell. Bernabe said this helped with an easy transition.
“It was important for Michael to know and understand that anyone who came to buy the team would not disassemble the team and try to reinvent the wheel,” Bernabé said. I did. “So they answered all the questions properly … these were important to Michael in the decision to sell the team.”
The situation in the minor league changed dramatically in February 2021 when Major League Baseball announced the reorganization of 120 teams into a regional formation. By terminating the professional baseball contract, 40 affiliates have lost their relationship with the Major League Baseball organization. Previously, PBA did not allow any company or entity to own multiple teams in a league. This has been lifted with a license from MLB’s new Professional Development League.
“The fact that Endeavor and Diamond Baseball Holdings are interested in owning multiple teams, regardless of the number of teams at that level, if anything could affect the sale or purchase of this team if it disappears. Said Bernabe, who has been with Iowa Cubs for 39 years.
“Frankly, the changes from the Professional Baseball Agreement and PDL didn’t have much of an impact from our point of view that we really depended on partnerships with the Cubs and the city of Des Moines. It doesn’t matter if you have a professional baseball contract or a player development league contract. “
The change of ownership does not change the Iowa Cubs Triple A affiliate partnership that has existed since 1981. The remaining people at Iowa Cubs are confident that the switch from a local holding company to a national holding company will go smoothly.
“(Gartner’s) leadership is part of our DNA and we look forward to continuing,” Wehofer said. “We have all worked for him for a long time. The generous spirit he taught us, being financially responsible for our business, and making them great in a great way. Remember everything about how to combine. “
Iowa Cubs Owners Surprise Employees For A Total Of $ 600,000 From Sales | Sports
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