Cubs Family Patriarch Apologizes For Racist Emails

Joe Ricketts
Joe Ricketts has apologized for controversial emails. (Associated Press)
Joe Ricketts
Joe Ricketts has apologized for controversial emails. (Associated Press)

Cubs Family Patriarch Apologizes For Racist Emails

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Joe Ricketts, the patriarch of the family behind the Chicago Cubs, has apologized after an online media outlet published emails in which he took part in racist comments and conspiracy theories.

Some of the emails Splinter News published Monday featured Ricketts making Islamophobic comments, such as “Islam is a cult and not a religion.” Others included conspiracies about former President Barack Obama’s birthplace and education.

Ricketts, who founded TD Ameritrade, apologized for the emails, saying he believes “bigoted ideas are wrong.”

Cubs’ Chairman Tom Ricketts issued a separate statement saying his father’s emails don’t reflect the values of the Cubs and highlighting that his father isn’t involved in the Cubs’ operations.

“We are aware of the racially insensitive emails in my father’s account that were published by an online media outlet,” Tom Ricketts wrote in his statement. “Let me be clear: the language and views expressed in those emails have no place in our society.”

Joe Ricketts sold 34 million shares of TD Ameritrade to help purchase the Cubs in 2009.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.