Very Interesting

Noticed this tidbit in last week's Crain's Chicago Business. In a section about stock tips, one John Rogers Jr., CEO Ariel Capital was quoted. His pick? Tribune Corporation.

The pick wasn't what caught my eye. What did was this quote:

"Selling (the Cubs and their Food Network investment) would be the intelligent thing to do. It's time for them to focus on what they do best."

Why should they do this? Simple. Neither is vital to their future operations.

Now, before you dismiss Mr. Rogers as just some stock analyst, please note Mr. Rogers' job. Ariel Capital isn't just some investment house. They own 10,137,623 shares of Trib stock as of December 31, 2005. That makes them the Tribune's 5th largest shareholder; 4th if you exclude the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation.

You think this guy might have some influence on the future of the Trib?