After over a year of "sure things" and worries that the team would be moved out of Pittsburgh, the Pirates were finally sold to Kevin McClatchy this week. McClatchy's deal was finalized on Wednesday, February 14, after Major League Baseball's owners unanimously approved the deal the previous day.

The first "sure thing" was a pending deal between the Pirate ownership and Potter County cable television magnate John Rigas. His financial backing eventually fell short of Major League Baseball's requirements. The McClatchy deal had its share of close-calls on the way to signing an agreement. A last minute pull-out of $5 million by investor William Snyder put the deal in jeopardy less than two weeks before the agreement was to be signed. Fortunately, McClatchy was able to assemble the required backing in time for the $90 million deal to be made.

McClatchy, 33, becomes the youngest owner of a Major League Baseball franchise.