On Cub fans filling the seats despite terrible teams...

[Abe Frohman]

It's an age-old discussion. Protests won't answer the problem because the fan base is so strong and widespread. WGN coverage in the past has built a huge cult of Cub fans all over the country, so there will most likely always be a near sell out - especially with 2 or 3 franchise-type players on the team.

 

Instead of blaming Cub fans for being loyal, who don't media outlets, etc. call for the Tribune Co. to give the brass an open wallet to have ONE PERIOD (not to exceed 3 year contracts) in which there is no limit as to what the club spends as far as salary goes.

 

The Marlins did it in the late 90's and it worked.

 

Cub fans deserve this a lot more than they deserve being criticized for being loyal fans.

[goonys evil twin]

It's an age-old discussion. Protests won't answer the problem because the fan base is so strong and widespread. WGN coverage in the past has built a huge cult of Cub fans all over the country, so there will most likely always be a near sell out - especially with 2 or 3 franchise-type players on the team.

 

Instead of blaming Cub fans for being loyal, who don't media outlets, etc. call for the Tribune Co. to give the brass an open wallet to have ONE PERIOD (not to exceed 3 year contracts) in which there is no limit as to what the club spends as far as salary goes.

 

The Marlins did it in the late 90's and it worked.

 

Cub fans deserve this a lot more than they deserve being criticized for being loyal fans.

 

The Marlins were trying to build a fan base with short-term success. The Cubs don't need to build a fan base. But they do need to maintain theirs because extended failure has always, and will always lead to a decline in attendance, ratings, revenue, etc.

 

I'd rather the media focused on calling out Cubs management for being idiots with their personel decision instead of the tired old crutch of criticizing the ownership for being cheap.

[Abe Frohman]

I don't think the ownership is cheap by any means.

 

I just think we Cub fans deserve a $250 million payroll, whatever it takes to get us a championship.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't think the ownership is cheap by any means.

 

I just think we Cub fans deserve a $250 million payroll, whatever it takes to get us a championship.

 

And I don't think that is anwhere close to a realistic request.

[Scott G. F.]

I don't think the ownership is cheap by any means.

 

I just think we Cub fans deserve a $250 million payroll, whatever it takes to get us a championship.

 

And I don't think that is anwhere close to a realistic request.

 

Yeah I cannot agree with that. (agreeing with Goony?)

 

Spending $250 Mil. just to spend it doesn't seem like a good idea. You cannot buy championships. Owners have tried and fail. Thats why they play the games.

[NewUserName]

How many times do the Mets have to try this approach and fail for fans to realize it doesnt work. Heck the Yankees havent won a championship since their payroll went thru the roof. Build a strong minor league system that produces talent year in and year out and championships will come.

[Jon]

I doubt there are very many walk-up ticket sales. The Cubs broke their own record of ticket sales the first day on sale again this year.

 

But they're also not filling the seats. The Cubs are averaging about 1,500 empy seats so far this season and there were over 2,000 unsold tickets for yesterday games. Even the Memorial Day game had over 1,000 unsold tickets.

 

And as has reported by Teddy Greenstein a week or so ago, Cubs TV ratings have dropped 45% since 2004.

[Derwood]

Season long sell-outs is a fairly new phenomenon historically. In fact, the attendance has risen as the # of WGN games has decreased. I think it's a spurious correlation

[treebird]

i think cub fans deserve a one billion dollar payroll MAKE IT SO

[Garwilly]

i think cub fans deserve a one billion dollar payroll MAKE IT SO

 

The Cubs are pleased to announce the signing of Treeman to a one year, 905 million dollar contract.

 

As a result, the team payroll is slghtly over 1 Billion dollars for 2006.

[stitchface]

How many times do the Mets have to try this approach and fail for fans to realize it doesnt work. Heck the Yankees havent won a championship since their payroll went thru the roof. Build a strong minor league system that produces talent year in and year out and championships will come.

 

how many time do the marlins and diamondbacks have to succeed with it? The problem is the players aren't there to spend the money on.

[soccer10k]

I don't think the ownership is cheap by any means.

 

I just think we Cub fans deserve a $250 million payroll, whatever it takes to get us a championship.

 

And I don't think that is anwhere close to a realistic request.

 

Yeah I cannot agree with that. (agreeing with Goony?)

 

Spending $250 Mil. just to spend it doesn't seem like a good idea. You cannot buy championships. Owners have tried and fail. Thats why they play the games.

 

Spending money on the right players is the key. It shouldn't matter how much they cost as long as the decisions go along with the strategy of the team.

[Soul]

Just put someone in charge who gives a damn and is accountable, and the success will come.

 

There are many paths to victory----but all of them start with a burning desire to succeed, and a dire hatred of failure.

[Sosa21MVP]

I think the current budget would be enough if it was spent wisely.

[Monco]

I think the current budget would be enough if it was spent wisely.

 

They spend 4 mil on a manager to finish under 500. 2.5 mil for a utility player, 2.5 mil on a batting practice lefty, about 12 mil on a starter who didn't start until a week ago etc...