White Sox owner worried about 2021 season: There are 'so many unknowns'

Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is concerned that the 2021 campaign won't be much different from this year's shortened 60-game season because of the uncertainties surrounding the global coronavirus pandemic.

"I'm very worried about next year," Reinsdorf told Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. "I don't know how much money we are going to lose. There are just so many unknowns. When we had the long layoffs in '81 and '94, we had some idea it was going to end. And once it ended, we would be back to normal. We not only don't when this will end, but when will normal come back?"

Reinsdorf, who also owns the Chicago Bulls and the United Center, says his pandemic-induced financial losses "are in the nine figures."

Unlike the Bulls, the White Sox haven't started their season yet. With no fans expected during the upcoming campaign, the MLB team isn't expected to generate much income.

"The two teams and the stadium all have expenses," Reinsdorf explained. "None have income. That's a bad business model. The Bulls got to play 75% of the season, so the losses aren't bad. We had a lousy season, so we weren't going to be in the playoffs, anyway. But the baseball losses are tremendous."

MLB announced July 9 that it intends to play a full 162-game schedule next season.