Dec 06, 2008 10:56 AM EST

Cubs' Chairman Crane Kenney said Friday that he expects the team to be sold by spring training.

He also shot down speculation that Tribune Co. would retain ownership of almost half the team.

"The bids that came in were for control of the team where for Sam, any interest would be a small interest," Kenney said. "I think at some point people were talking about Sam holding almost half of it. That's not the way they [bid].

"People are ready to come in, and while the economy is as challenging as it is, I think the value of the franchise really hasn't changed long-term. I think the bidders are all well financed and understand that. They didn't deviate much from where the value should be."

Via Chicago Tribune