CHICAGO (AP) — Major League baseball owners on Tuesday unanimously approved the sale of the Chicago Cubs from the bankrupt Tribune Co. to the family of online brokerage billionaire and longtime fan Joe Ricketts.

The vote was made during a conference call. Tom Ricketts, who has headed the sale for his family, could take day-to-day control of the Cubs by the end of the month.

Commissioner Bud Selig says the Ricketts family will be “great owners and custodians” of the storied franchise perhaps best known for a World Series championship drought that now stands at 101 years.

“We’re extremely pleased that the sales process is drawing to a close,” Selig added.

Chicago-based Tribune Co. bought the Cubs in 1981 from candy maker Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for $20.5 million.

The Rickettses signed an agreement to buy a 95 percent stake in the team and in Wrigley Field.

The $845 million deal also includes Tribune’s approximately 25 percent share of regional cable TV network Comcast SportsNet Chicago.