Gay Cubs owner had some “thoughtful conversations” before paying openly antigay player millions

“Since several people have asked…yes, I was consulted prior to the Daniel Murphy trade. There were several thoughtful conversations among Cubs executives, my brothers and me, as well as with Billy Bean, MLB’s Ambassador for Inclusion and the subject of Daniel’s 2015 comments. I know Billy and have immense respect for him and his work with the league. Billy, who has since developed a friendship with Daniel, was very positive and encouraging. After these considered and thoughtful conversations, which took place precisely because of the Cubs’ sensitivities on the matter, I was on board with the trade.”— Laura Ricketts, the first openly gay owner of a Major League Baseball team (The Cubs, with her family), in a series of tweets defending her family’s decision to acquire openly antigay player Daniel Murphy just five days before the team hosted its “Out at Wrigley” LGBTQ night.