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Drale

(7,932 posts)
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:14 PM Apr 2013

Cubs unveil $500M Wrigley Field renovation plan

The Chicago Cubs and the city have agreed on details of a $500 million facelift for Wrigley Field, including an electronic video screen that is nearly three times as large as the one currently atop the centerfield bleachers of the 99-year-old ballpark.

Under terms of the agreement, the Cubs would also be able to increase the number of night games at Wrigley Field from 30 to 40 — or nearly half the games played there each season. They would give Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts the ability to renovate the second-oldest park in the major leagues, boost business and perhaps make baseball's most infamous losers competitive again.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel hailed what the two sides called a "framework" agreement in a joint statement issued Sunday night, noting that it includes no taxpayer funding. That had been one of the original requests of the Ricketts family in a long-running renovation dispute that at times involved everything from cranky ballpark neighbors to ward politics and even the re-election campaign of President Barack Obama.

"This framework allows the Cubs to restore the Friendly Confines (of Wrigley) and pursue their economic goals, while respecting the rights and quality of life of its neighbors," Emanuel said.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130415/sports/704159839?interstitial=1

I love Wrigley Field and I hope they don't change its look or the way it plays. Saying that I hate the rooftops and their owners. They are interesting especially in years when the Cubs are great but they owners bitch and moan like the actually have any impact on the Cubs ownership. Right now the Cubs get a certain percentage of their ticket sales but I'm guessing a video screen will bring in way more money with advertisement. No real fans sit on the rooftops, a real fan wants to be in the stadium as close as possible to the field.

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Drale

(7,932 posts)
3. In the during 2003 the Tribune stretched big nets that you could see through
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:22 PM
Apr 2013

and there was a big too do about it. That's why the Cubs get a portion of the rooftops revenue now. Before they didn't get anything.

Ganja Ninja

(15,953 posts)
2. Oh great a giant video screen.
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:19 PM
Apr 2013

Except Baseball doesn't show replays or actual real time video of the game you're attending. It will have so many stats and adds on it you'll think you're watching Bloomberg TV.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,155 posts)
5. Umm, all stadiums with video screens show replays.
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:26 PM
Apr 2013

Usually of a home run, clutch hit or great defensive play.

When's the last time you've been to a MLB game?

Ganja Ninja

(15,953 posts)
8. About 3 years ago.
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:41 PM
Apr 2013

They might show a home run but controversial calls are not replayed because the umpires complained about it. They also don't have the live feed up on the screen or didn't the last time I went.

former9thward

(31,949 posts)
4. "No real fans sit on the rooftops"
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:22 PM
Apr 2013

No real fan goes to Cubs park. Real fans are at the Sox. That said Wrigley certainly has improved since I lived across Waveland Avenue from left field almost 40 years ago. Now I live just a few blocks from where the Cubs are building a $110 million spring training facility. They are even putting in fake apartment buildings so fans can sit on the top of them to watch the game! Actually the Cubs aren't building it, the city of Mesa, AZ is. The Cubs said to build it with tax money or they would leave the city. The city caved in unfortunately. It is going to be a year round facility with a theme park included.

Drale

(7,932 posts)
6. I guess theres only about 20,000 "real" fans in all of chicago then
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:27 PM
Apr 2013

because that's what the White Sox have averaged this season as opposed to the Cubs 32,000 and the Sox have won 1 more game than the Cubs. Cubs fans stand with their team through thick and thin while Sox fans abandon their team after a bad start to a season.

former9thward

(31,949 posts)
10. Cub "fans" go to see and be seen.
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 01:03 PM
Apr 2013

They want to party and pay very little attention to the game. They really don't care how good or bad the team is. There is nothing wrong with that but it is what it is. Cub fans think Sox stadium is in the 'ghetto' and they are afraid to go south of Madison.

 

alcibiades_mystery

(36,437 posts)
9. Cubs have littered Chicago with their 2013 ad slogan: "Every great love deserves a ring."
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 12:46 PM
Apr 2013

So, apparently the Cubs are the abusive fiance who's never going to marry you!

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