Owner won't hesitate to sell Wrigley Field naming rights

CHICAGO -- The chief executive officer of the Tribune Company says he won't hesitate to sell the naming rights to Wrigley Field -- even if baseball purists don't like the idea.

It's possible North siders may no longer be greeted by the famous Wrigley sign. (Getty Images)

During an interview on CNBC, Sam Zell says despite Wrigley Field being known worldwide, he didn't get a discount because he wasn't going to use the naming rights that the field represents.

Zell said he plans to sell the Cubs and Wrigley separately and in his own time frame. He also disclosed that Major League Baseball has approved "four or six" potential ownership groups and that any one of them would be fine.

The sale of the team has been delayed by Zell's plan to sell the team and the stadium separately, and to have a state agency acquire and renovate Wrigley.