Does Hal Steinbrenner want to own the Yankees? How dedicated is he, really? $10 billion might make the decision easier.
There are very few iconic franchises in professional sports that can compare to the Los Angeles Lakers' brand, and there are even fewer applicable franchises that are dynastic and family-owned. The Steinbrenner Yankees, with their 27 championships and decades of dominance and continuity, certainly fit the bill.
In recent years, there's been increased pressure for Hal Steinbrenner, the current steward, to pursue a sale of the team if he sees a cap on spending that isn't really there. The Dodgers and Mets face similar tax constraints (and, to be fair, Mets owner Steve Cohen doesn't currently believe his level of splashing to be sustainable). But both have maneuvered monstrous, seemingly unlimited payroll into an inherent advantage in the current market.
The Yankees, the franchise that essentially innovated on the form? They spend wildly ... up until the top tax bracket, at which point they feel inclined to reset things every few years, regardless of their competitive window. They drew a line in the sand on Juan Soto (and yes, some fans applauded them for doing so). The Mets did not. Wouldn't it be nice if the Yankees could truly join the upper echelon again instead of masquerading alongside them?
The Dodgers' mega-behemoth owners flexed their untapped wealth again this week when they paid $10 billion in exchange for the Lakers, exercising the right of first refusal baked into their contract. Will Steinbrenner take note, beyond scoffing at his competitors' latest show of force? It's unclear, but even Yankees fans/insiders believe there's reason for the current patriarch to pay attention.
The Lakers sold for $10 billion. I would imagine the Yankees would be in that ballpark if the Steinbrenner family ever sold. Only a few franchises could be in that arena. Yankees are one of them https://t.co/phSYU0Hvsa
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) June 18, 2025
Have Yankees ever won a championship under Hal Steinbrenner? Could he sell like the Lakers?
Do you consider Hal a title-winner? Technically, the 2009 championship was piloted by Brian Cashman and Co. as a semi-farewell to his father George, who was in ill health and passed away the next summer. Since that final parade, the younger Steinbrenner has been reticent to go quite so "all in," occasionally authorizing splurge-y Plan Bs, but rarely securing a series of undeniable crown jewels.
That type of reticence - and pressure - has led analysts like Bomani Jones to wonder whether the family even wants this fate any longer.
If a franchise like the Lakers can change hands so seamlessly, why can't the Yankees, valued alongside the Cowboys at the top of the sport?
i still wonder when somebody's gonna pony up and free hal steinbrenner from the burden of the yankees. and where exactly that money will come from.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) June 18, 2025
Our take? It may be time for this franchise to explore its options - as long as it loses James Dolan's phone number.