Report: Liberty Media preparing to sell Braves?

Liberty Media could be preparing to sell the Braves, according to a report from the Marietta Daily Journal.

Liberty Media has owned the Braves since 2007, and it's safe to say the deal hasn't been ideal from a fan's perspective. Payroll has remained dormant in a time of monster free agent contracts and humongous TV deals, which has prevented the club from luring top-level talent to Atlanta.

As the Braves near their move to Cobb County, could a sale be coming?

Recent back-fence talk describes the same scenario that circulated a couple years ago — current owner Liberty Media selling to an Internet mogul with strong ties to Cobb County.

Around Town first reported talk of a possible sale in September 2013 — prior to the announcement of the Braves move to Cobb County.

At the same time the rumor mill was churning, Liberty Media earlier this month announced plans to reclassify its common stock into three new tracking stock groups, one to be designated as the Liberty Braves Group, one to be designated as the Liberty Media Group and one to be designated as the Liberty Sirius Group, seemingly separating the Braves interests from other holdings.

It's important to note a few things here.

For one, there is absolutely nothing set in stone. The whole article is essentially speculation from the MDJ. While it is certainly a respectable news outlet, we shouldn't celebrate yet.

I can only imagine which Internet mogul has "strong ties" to Cobb County. Any ideas?

Finally, a sale would take months to complete, if not more than a year. This wouldn't be a quick deal by any means. Even if Liberty fully intends to sell, it could be a while before anything actually happens.

Stay tuned.