Most mergers are driven by the notion, sometimes wildly mistaken, that the combination will bring both a competitive advantage. Some pairs of companies, however, seem so intuitively right for one another, no bottom-line considerations should be allowed to interfere with their matrimony. Like a foul ball and a plate glass window, these two were meant for one another.Pity the poor Chicago Cubs fan. The modern Sisyphus has spent a century coaxing his baseball team to the verge of greatness, only to see it collapse into a pile of baseline chalk time after time. The 2007 season was especially painful, after investing $136 million in slugger Alfonso Soriano and inking one of the game's best managers, Lou Piniella. The team eked into the playoffs, only to be swept in three games by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cubs are part of The Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB), currently in the process of being bought by Sam Zell. Many expect the Cubs to be sold when/if this deal is completed.
Given that the Cubs have provided a century of heartbreak to the windy city, perhaps the team should merge with a company that can make money off of fans' paroxysms. Emergency Medical Services (NYSE: EMS) could be such a partner.
Last year EMS served around 10 million patients in 39 states and the District of Columbia. With almost $2 billion in sales and a year/year growth of 16.84%, they could almost afford to bid on Alex Rodriguez. And every dollar they spend to build the team and the fans' fantasies is a dollar they recoup when those newly hopeful Cubs fans collapse after seeing their dreams dashed once again.
The Cubbies and EMS -- made for each other? I even have a slogan for them: "The heart of a Cubs fan -- We break it, then we take it."
The Cubbies and EMS -- made for each other? I even have a slogan for them: "The heart of a Cubs fan -- We break it, then we take it."
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