Zell will consider selling naming rights to Wrigley Field

[hawkcub]

Found this tidbit on the Cubs Reporter blog...

 

aplan also spoke tonight with Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin. In the course of that conversation, Kaplan said his sources tell him that the Cubs are talking deal with a major, Chicago-based corporation which would pay less than the $40 million bandied about for naming rights. The company would be paying for “significant” signage all over the ballpark but would voluntarily forego renaming the park and in a selfless gesture of corporate goodness, allow the place to remain “Wrigley Field.”

 

Nice folks, those selfless, major Chicago corporate guys.

 

Not a bad compromise -- depending of course how the "significant signage" looks.

 

If they take down the ivy and cover the bricks with ads, I will publicly tar and feather their CEO in a public square.

 

That I would sure agree with. I'm thinking signs on the electronic scoreboards in the grandstands and maybe even a small one on the big scoreboard in center. Then of course all over the concourse.

 

Isn't there already signage in those places already.

[CoBleacherBum]

Found this tidbit on the Cubs Reporter blog...

 

aplan also spoke tonight with Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin. In the course of that conversation, Kaplan said his sources tell him that the Cubs are talking deal with a major, Chicago-based corporation which would pay less than the $40 million bandied about for naming rights. The company would be paying for “significant” signage all over the ballpark but would voluntarily forego renaming the park and in a selfless gesture of corporate goodness, allow the place to remain “Wrigley Field.”

 

Nice folks, those selfless, major Chicago corporate guys.

 

Not a bad compromise -- depending of course how the "significant signage" looks.

 

If they take down the ivy and cover the bricks with ads, I will publicly tar and feather their CEO in a public square.

 

That I would sure agree with. I'm thinking signs on the electronic scoreboards in the grandstands and maybe even a small one on the big scoreboard in center. Then of course all over the concourse.

 

Isn't there already signage in those places already.

 

Kinda my point. If they don't go overboard with it - just put their signage in the "normal" spots, it wouldn't be that bad.

 

Are there any ads on the center field scoreboard this year??

[vj9999]

Bring "Torco" back out of bankruptcy :)

[CuseCubFan69]

Butterburger Field

 

Would you really want the Cubs named after something produced by a Wisconsin-based corporation?

 

Gotta feed the family. Honestly, I had no idea where they were from and I never heard of them until I saw their commercials on WGN.

[Derwood]

speaking of which, could WGN buy the naming rights? maybe, you know, get all the games back on the Superstation in the deal?

[CubColtPacer]

speaking of which, could WGN buy the naming rights? maybe, you know, get all the games back on the Superstation in the deal?

 

WGN cannot get the games back on the Superstation due to MLB rules limiting the number of games that a station like that can carry.

 

Plus, having to pay the Cubs for the loss of the cable rights+naming rights would make it way too expensive for WGN even if it was allowed.

[RedIvyCub]

speaking of which, could WGN buy the naming rights? maybe, you know, get all the games back on the Superstation in the deal?

 

WGN cannot get the games back on the Superstation due to MLB rules limiting the number of games that a station like that can carry.

 

Plus, having to pay the Cubs for the loss of the cable rights+naming rights would make it way too expensive for WGN even if it was allowed.

 

MLB has no control over how many games are on WGN. The Cubs have reduced the number of games on WGN because of the Superstation tax. The only other team now which pays this tax is the Sox since TBS is no longer the flagshop station of the Atlanta Braves. The amount due each season is based on the number of games on WGN since they do show the games on the Superstation as well as the local only feed. Putting all of the games back on WGN would be quite pricey...yes, in the multimillions and is already in the millions as is.

 

Besides, with the comments that Zell has made about the Superstation and it's programming (comments not fit for a family type board), I would bet within five years there won't be Cubs games on Superstation WGN...only the local feed. This mind you having nothing to do with the tax but what Zell thinks of the quality of programming.

[CubColtPacer]

speaking of which, could WGN buy the naming rights? maybe, you know, get all the games back on the Superstation in the deal?

 

WGN cannot get the games back on the Superstation due to MLB rules limiting the number of games that a station like that can carry.

 

Plus, having to pay the Cubs for the loss of the cable rights+naming rights would make it way too expensive for WGN even if it was allowed.

 

MLB has no control over how many games are on WGN. The Cubs have reduced the number of games on WGN because of the Superstation tax. The only other team now which pays this tax is the Sox since TBS is no longer the flagshop station of the Atlanta Braves. The amount due each season is based on the number of games on WGN since they do show the games on the Superstation as well as the local only feed. Putting all of the games back on WGN would be quite pricey...yes, in the multimillions and is already in the millions as is.

 

Besides, with the comments that Zell has made about the Superstation and it's programming (comments not fit for a family type board), I would bet within five years there won't be Cubs games on Superstation WGN...only the local feed. This mind you having nothing to do with the tax but what Zell thinks of the quality of programming.

 

Thanks for the correction. WGN used to say it was due to MLB rules on their website, but now they just have a public relations paragraph about needing to compete with other channels. The Bulls answer of the NBA directly limiting the number of Bulls games is the only answer on there still intact.

 

Any idea what direction Zell might take with the Superstation as far as its overall lineup?

[RedIvyCub]

 

Thanks for the correction. WGN used to say it was due to MLB rules on their website, but now they just have a public relations paragraph about needing to compete with other channels. The Bulls answer of the NBA directly limiting the number of Bulls games is the only answer on there still intact.

 

Any idea what direction Zell might take with the Superstation as far as its overall lineup?

 

Actually technically it falls on the Cubs to make that decision since they pay the Superstation tax. The less games they have on WGN, then the less Superstation tax they pay. So I would assume that WCIU games would make sense to all of you now since they do not have to pay tax on those games. I can say that ten years ago, the Superstation tax was under $10 Million to televise all the games on WGN. I am certain it is much higher now.

 

However, WGN is correct on its assessment of the Bulls. I remember that mess when the Bulls were good and the NBA was going to pull all games off of the Superstation. The deal became that they were allowed 15 games. It is all due to how the markets are set up etc and NBA felt that the Superstation gave the Bulls an unfair advantage...believe it was similar with the Atlanta Hawks at the time as well. TBS and the Hawks just didn't squawk as loud as Jerry and the Bulls did.

 

Sadly, I suspect sporting events are the most successful programs on the Supersation next to possibly the news. Would have to agree with Zell on the quality of Superstation programming...it's crap.

[seanimal]

The Cubs and the Bulls are the only good things on that channel. They should dedicate all of their programming to just those two things.

[CubsGM]

Cubs likely to sell Wrigley name rights

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080307&content_id=2410702&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs have been approached by at least three companies interested in purchasing naming rights to Wrigley Field, and team chairman Crane Kenney said on Friday that it is likely they will sell those rights.

 

Kenney, speaking to beat writers about the state of the team, also said that the Cubs are progressing in their efforts to get the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) to buy the ballpark and operate it, and could receive an offer next week. Kenney said they are still hopeful a framework for the transaction with ISFA could be completed by Opening Day, which is March 31.

 

Naming rights is the hot button issue with fans. The Cubs have already made some changes, such as renaming the bleachers the "Bud Light Bleachers" and adding the new Chicago Board Options Exchange seats, currently being auctioned off. New Tribune Co. chairman Sam Zell has made it clear that he is interested in selling naming rights to the ballpark, which was built in 1914 and named after William Wrigley.

[TruffleShuffle]

someone find sam zell for me and kick him in the balls

[cbbryan]

I don't see how this benefits Zell in the least. If exhaust the new owners revenue streams what makes you think the bidding for the Cubs will be very high?

 

By selling Wrigley you essentially lower the cost of the Cubs.

 

Agree?

[UMFan83]

I'm not greatly against selling the naming rights, but personally, I will not give money to whatever company buys the rights.

[Amazing_Grace]

I haven't posted on here for many a month now (still lurking about though). I had to comment on this one.

 

Of all the greedy, lowdown, underhanded, dirty ways to make a buck. Corporate executives like Zell are the lowest form of human life. They have more money than most of us could figure out how to spend and they're willing to ignore the common good and other peoples' opinions to make a little bit more. People like this are the reason why Karl Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto. I'm not a socialist myself, but seeing people do things like this tempts me. I can't fathom what it must be like to be so greedy as to even consider doing this.

 

I'm personally going to carry out a lifetime boycott of whatever company that buys the naming rights. I don't care who it is or what they sell. I hate Pepsi, but if Coca-Cola buys the rights, I will instantly become a lifetime Pepsi drinker.

[Schwarber Fan]

Who ever buys the naming rights should immediately be worried about being run out of town.

[CubsGM]

Maybe Wrigley made a bid :beg:

[Roast]

Who ever buys the naming rights should immediately be worried about being run out of town.

That's what I think.

 

My sports marketing teacher, however, seems to think that's poppycock. (Granted, he's a Sox fan and thinks the whole idea that fans are loyal to a stadium name is ridiculous). He thinks whatever minor (his word, not mine) backlash there is will actually benefit the company who buys the rights because they will get free media exposure.

 

I disagree - but he's made insane money off of marketing and I'm a college student. So we'll see.

[tfarks]

I haven't posted on here for many a month now (still lurking about though). I had to comment on this one.

 

Of all the greedy, lowdown, underhanded, dirty ways to make a buck. Corporate executives like Zell are the lowest form of human life. They have more money than most of us could figure out how to spend and they're willing to ignore the common good and other peoples' opinions to make a little bit more. People like this are the reason why Karl Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto. I'm not a socialist myself, but seeing people do things like this tempts me. I can't fathom what it must be like to be so greedy as to even consider doing this.

 

I'm personally going to carry out a lifetime boycott of whatever company that buys the naming rights. I don't care who it is or what they sell. I hate Pepsi, but if Coca-Cola buys the rights, I will instantly become a lifetime Pepsi drinker.

 

I can't add much to what the commie said, just that I agree with this sentiment 100%.

[Roast]

Maybe Wrigley made a bid :beg:

They already said it would be bad marketing for them. Again - speaking from the marketing class I talked about in th last post, people (people being: "marketing experts") seem to think it would be financially stupid for Wrigley to buy the naming rights. No one thinks of gum when they think of Wrigley Field anyway, so it wouldn't help them in any way and whatever 'good will' respect they get from cubs fans wouldn't be enough to make it worthwhile.

[Roast]

Also: I too will boycott whatever company buys the rights. Unless, that is, they do something like let it continue to be called "wrigley field" but sell signage inside the stadium.

 

If the name gets changed, though, I stop buying from the company that buys the name.

[JGalt73]

"Worst" quote from the article...

 

Even if the name changes, the Cubs will not change the structure of the marquee above the entrance to the ballpark. However, they can alter the letters in the marquee.

 

"We couldn't take the marquee down," Kenney said. "We believe the First Amendment protects what letters we write on the marquee. If we said, 'Let's take the marquee off and do something different,' we couldn't do that. The structure of the marquee is what's landmarked."

[Mizzou]

Also: I too will boycott whatever company buys the rights. Unless, that is, they do something like let it continue to be called "wrigley field" but sell signage inside the stadium.

 

If the name gets changed, though, I stop buying from the company that buys the name.

Ditto.

[David]

LOL at uproar

 

It amazes me that some of you guys prefer the idea of having a bunch of signs all over the place from some sponsor instead of a name change. If one of these two issues bothered me all that much, it would be that former.

 

It could be called Apple iField for all I care as long as they keep the park looking more or less the way it does. A bunch of signs plastered all over, on the other hand? That would be intrusive and would be a bit irritating.

[NCCubFan]

someone find sam zell for me and kick him in the balls

That doesn't go nearl far enough. Somebody needs to take out a contract on him if that's what it takes to keep Cubs games on WGN Superstation.