The new era of Chicago White Sox baseball isn’t far away - and in saying that, I’m referring to a lot more than just the product on the field.

In early June of 2025, White Sox chairman and controlling owner Jerry Reinsdorf entered into an investment agreement with Chicagoland billionaire Justin Ishbia — a move that will eventually lead to the full sale of the team.

The team’s official press release laid out the framework. From 2029–2033, Reinsdorf will have the option to sell controlling interest to Ishbia. After the 2034 season, Ishbia will have the option to acquire that controlling interest himself.

In either scenario, all limited partners will have the opportunity to sell to Ishbia as well.

Ishbia, a private-equity investor and current part-owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury (alongside his brother, Mat), won’t formally take the reins for several years. But the transition has already started in practice. Ishbia will be making “capital infusions” to support the team in the short-term — and more importantly, the winds of change are already blowing.

And this week, Ishbia acted very much like an ambassador for the future of the franchise.

Ishbia traveled to Rome alongside Outkick founder Clay Travis “to discuss the role of sports in diplomacy.” During the visit, he reportedly met with Pope Leo XIV — easily the most prominent White Sox fan on the planet and a notable attendee at Game 2 of the 2005 World Series. With a signed 2005 World Series jersey in hand, Ishbia invited the Pope to throw out the first pitch at a future White Sox game.

But not just any game.

According to a social media post from the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, “Mr. Ishbia invited Pope Leo to throw the opening pitch at a new planned White Sox stadium.”

U.S. in Holy See (@USinHolySee) on X Happy to welcome Justin Ishbia, owner of the Chicago White Sox and Clay Travis, founder of @Outkick today in Rome to discuss the role of sports in diplomacy. Mr. Ishbia invited Pope Leo to throw the opening pitch at a new planned White Sox stadium. Though a fan of all teams, we

The post even referred to Ishbia as the “owner of the Chicago White Sox.” Technically, that’s not wrong — reports suggest that he already owns more of the franchise than Reinsdorf does. 

So yes, a new era of White Sox baseball is coming. And it’s not just because Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Braden Montgomery are on track to become household names across baseball while playing on the South Side.

It’s because Justin Ishbia is already laying the groundwork for a brand-new White Sox stadium and a level of global notoriety this franchise has never seen before. The South Side is in some very capable hands.