 Nonetheless, on January 8, 2009, the Chicago Tribune reported that a new group of three finalists, Tom Ricketts advised by Salvatore Galatioto of Galatioto Sports Partners, Hersch Klaff advised by Michael Levy of Paragon Capital Partners, and a partnership of private equity investors Marc Utay and Leo Hindery Jr., were expected to submit polished offers "within days", after which the winning bid would be accepted and, pending the winning bidders approval by ⅔ of the current MLB owners, "would be final", with Zell holding on to a minor share of the team.The Ricketts family won that bidding process as the 2009 season came to a close.Ultimately, the sale was unanimously approved by MLB owners and the Ricketts family took control on October 27, 2009.