Cubs Sell Bleachers Naming Rights

[CubbieRich]

Our cash-strapped Northside franchise has been looking for other revenue streams because they are so poor. Now they have sold the naming rights(I never knew they existed) for the bleachers to Anheuser-Busch. The bleachers will now have some mention of Bud-Light. Although there will be no signage inside the field or outside on the brick, there will be signage between the gate and exit. There is also a definite possibility that the radio/tv crews will mention it. Something like: "Aramis drives the ball, deep to left..it's into the Bud-Light bleachers for a home run."

 

The Bears have a similar agreement with Bank One(now Chase) and there is plenty of promotion of it. And the Cards had Big Mac Land at their old ballpark.

[Backtobanks]

Our cash-strapped Northside franchise has been looking for other revenue streams because they are so poor. Now they have sold the naming rights(I never knew they existed) for the bleachers to Anheuser-Busch. The bleachers will now have some mention of Bud-Light. Although there will be no signage inside the field or outside on the brick, there will be signage between the gate and exit. There is also a definite possibility that the radio/tv crews will mention it. Something like: "Aramis drives the ball, deep to left..it's into the Bud-Light bleachers for a home run."

 

The Bears have a similar agreement with Bank One(now Chase) and there is plenty of promotion of it. And the Cards had Big Mac Land at their old ballpark.

 

Well, maybe this will help them stop raising ticket prices. Yeah, right lol.

[sethuel1]

Our cash-strapped Northside franchise has been looking for other revenue streams because they are so poor. Now they have sold the naming rights(I never knew they existed) for the bleachers to Anheuser-Busch. The bleachers will now have some mention of Bud-Light. Although there will be no signage inside the field or outside on the brick, there will be signage between the gate and exit. There is also a definite possibility that the radio/tv crews will mention it. Something like: "Aramis drives the ball, deep to left..it's into the Bud-Light bleachers for a home run."

 

The Bears have a similar agreement with Bank One(now Chase) and there is plenty of promotion of it. And the Cards had Big Mac Land at their old ballpark.

Link?

[Mizzou]

If true, Busch must have paid a good chunk of money for this. I'm sure Miller was all over the bidding too, considering that they have that huge billboard on the rooftop in rightfield.

[sethuel1]

If this means no more Old Style in the bleachers, I will go on a murderous rampage.

[Derwood]

The Woo-Woo Seats?

[J.R.]

Al Yellon's take

[UMFan83]

So far the Cubs have lowered payroll, raised ticket prices, increased their stadium capacity, and sold naming rights to a part of their ballpark.

 

 

Interesting...

[USSoccer]

Maybe the Tribune is trying to use the Cubs to help bail themselves out of the financial mess they are in.

[Radar3454]

I am amazed that some people are bothered by this.

[J.R.]

I'm not bothered at all.

[rocket]

As long as the bud light logo isn't smeared everywhere, then whatever.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

As long as the bud light logo isn't smeared everywhere, then whatever.

 

ditto

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Until I see some form of desecration, I'm not disturbed. I don't care what they print on my ticket.

[Jon]

Maybe they'll just replace the Southwest Airlines signs with Bud ones.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

The Bears have a similar agreement with Bank One(now Chase) and there is plenty of promotion of it. And the Cards had Big Mac Land at their old ballpark.

 

It is? I never hear about it.

[sethuel1]

Maybe they'll just replace the Southwest Airlines signs with Bud ones.

 

That I guess I'd be ok with. But seriously, if they stop selling Old Style in the bleachers...

[UMFan83]

 

The Bears have a similar agreement with Bank One(now Chase) and there is plenty of promotion of it. And the Cards had Big Mac Land at their old ballpark.

 

It is? I never hear about it.

 

Never heard of the "Bank One Bears"

 

I remember a huge fuss about it a couple of years ago when it was announced, but I honestly hear almost nothing about it anymore.

[Sec 511 Die-hard]

Standing alone, this isn't a crisis. But if you are paying attention, then you should know that the Cubs are SLooooowly bringing in advertising into the ballpark. Consider the changes the last few years (one change per year):

 

*Put up southwest airlines logo on the front ledge of the bleachers.

 

* Put Sears logo throughout the Cubs and visitor's dugout.

 

*Put up 2 LED signs in the upper deck that flashed Sears advertisements.

 

*Put up a new LED sign under the historic manual scoreboard - said it would be for statistics, etc. A year later, all you see on it between innings is McDonalds.

 

*Named the bleachers the "Bud Light Bleachers".

 

*Now the city council is talking about getting rid of street venors??? People come to Wrigley for many different reasons. But many love going because it takes them back to their grandparent's generation. Street vendors are a part of old-time baseball and American history. Much like Maxwell street, Coney Island, and the soda fountain. Getting rid of the street vendors is a HUGE mistake.

 

Separately, these changes appear to be no big deal. But like gaining weight, you don't usually go from a supermodel to a fat lard overnight. These changes are a trend that I do not like. They do not enhance Wrigley. They simply take away from Wrigley and Wrigleyville's old time charm.

[anemic offense]

Our cash-strapped Northside franchise has been looking for other revenue streams because they are so poor. Now they have sold the naming rights(I never knew they existed) for the bleachers to Anheuser-Busch. The bleachers will now have some mention of Bud-Light. Although there will be no signage inside the field or outside on the brick, there will be signage between the gate and exit. There is also a definite possibility that the radio/tv crews will mention it. Something like: "Aramis drives the ball, deep to left..it's into the Bud-Light bleachers for a home run."

 

The Bears have a similar agreement with Bank One(now Chase) and there is plenty of promotion of it. And the Cards had Big Mac Land at their old ballpark.

 

Understatement of the century. You can't go to Soldier Field without being bombarded by Chase logos and insignias. They are on cupholders, near the teletron, all around the stadium...you simply can't escape them.

 

Although the funny thing is I received a free Visa/Mastercard Bear towel just outside the entry gate. Here Chase spends all that money to have their name plastered all over the stadium and they're outdone (from this fan's perspective) by one of there biggest rivals giving away a product they can actually use. Can't believe (Chase) they'd let that happen.

[anemic offense]

 

The Bears have a similar agreement with Bank One(now Chase) and there is plenty of promotion of it. And the Cards had Big Mac Land at their old ballpark.

 

It is? I never hear about it.

 

Although the official "naming" rights have seemingly went defunct (everyone knew the "Chicago Bears presented by Chase/BankOne/Whatever" was never going to work). But when one enters the stadium the partnership is blatantly obvious. Virtually everything that can have a Chase name/logo on HAS a Chase name/logo on it.

 

With all the money the team/NFL makes its amazing teams are resorting to the sell out mentality. Apparetnly nothings enough for these greedy b*stards. It's become flat out ridiculous.

[Soul]

Doesn't seem to hurt ticket sales, as most of you are so fond of saying.

 

It's not going to stop anyone from handing more cash to our Cubs to watch them lose yet again, so I find the complaints about it somewhat disingenuous.

 

Naming rights are a reality in sports. It's not going to stop until it impacts ticket sales. Since it isn't, it will not stop. Simple logic.

[Roast]

This, in itself, does not really bother me. But everything we name takes us one step closer to this:

 

http://www.theautochannel.com/callahan/2000texas/portraits1/gordon_jeff01.jpg

[Soul]

Is it the clothing you find horrifying, or Jeff Gordon's wry mug, or both? J/K

 

It's going to get to that point no matter what. Is it going to stop you from watching the games though? That's the real question. My guess is, it will not.

[Roast]

It probably wont, but It doesnt mean I have to like it.