Zell will consider selling naming rights to Wrigley Field

[Tyrant]

Winning = joy

 

i will say it yet again, the cubs had the 5th highest payroll in major league baseball last year. renaming the ballpark isn't necessary to be financially competitive; renaming the ballpark doesn't guarantee anything except that the ballpark has a different name.

 

I totally see your point, and I agree.

 

One could argue that the Cubs' payroll should be much higher -- more in Red Sox territory -- due to a huge media market and such a large following. But that isn't really related to this discussion.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think the funniest thing about people who want them to sell naming rights (or who don't care if they do) is that they think the extra revenue is actually going to go towards the payroll.

 

:pig:

 

I know what you mean. Baseball teams never pour money created by additional revenue streams into increased payroll, payroll always remains flat regardless of how much money they make. Especially the Cubs.

[jersey cubs fan]

Winning = joy

 

i will say it yet again, the cubs had the 5th highest payroll in major league baseball last year. renaming the ballpark isn't necessary to be financially competitive; renaming the ballpark doesn't guarantee anything except that the ballpark has a different name.

 

I totally see your point, and I agree.

 

One could argue that the Cubs' payroll should be much higher -- more in Red Sox territory -- due to a huge media market and such a large following. But that isn't really related to this discussion.

 

Except for the fact that Boston is the lone baseball team for an entire region of the United States and that region has a hell of a lot more money than the region the Cubs represent, and share with several other clubs.

[David]

Does anyone actually think it's about ads being all over the ballpark? The naming rights deal gets the name out there into the consciousness of the people. Wrigley's name gets out there and gets said and gets on people's minds because the park is named Wrigley Field. Naming rights aren't really about having the company's ads plastered all over the park.

 

What difference does it make if there's no Wrigley ads on the inside of the park? It's not like the park is pristine and devoid of other ads. Van Kampen, Smithe Furniture, Under Armour, etc. are all over the place.

Edited February 28, 2008 by David

[The Voice of Reason]

If they rename Wrigley Field to some corporate name like Hooters Field, will the surrounding neighborhood be renamed Hooterville?

 

I am not in favor of that - it would make Cardinal fans feel too much at home when they came up north to watch the Cubs beat up on the Red Birds.

[Abe Frohman]

Does Zell have anything to do with the Under Armour adds in the power alleys? I don't have a big problem with that, but I don't think he gives a squirt of piss for the Cubs or Wrigley Field, just the opportunity to make a buck off it.

[David]

LOL @ Hooterville

[Derwood]

Agreed, but isn't the full name of the stadium Oriole Park at Camden Yard? It is in that style that I am guessing could be the solution to naming Wrigley Field. XYZ Park at Wrigley Field. .

 

pretty much, it's "oriole park at camden yards"... but camden yards is a neighborhood in baltimore. calling it sears park at wrigley field just seems completely redundant, basically it's just naming the ballpark twice.

 

sorta like Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, eh?

[TruffleShuffle]

Agreed, but isn't the full name of the stadium Oriole Park at Camden Yard? It is in that style that I am guessing could be the solution to naming Wrigley Field. XYZ Park at Wrigley Field. .

 

pretty much, it's "oriole park at camden yards"... but camden yards is a neighborhood in baltimore. calling it sears park at wrigley field just seems completely redundant, basically it's just naming the ballpark twice.

 

sorta like Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, eh?

 

exactly, except nobody knows who medlar or lubrano are

[RedIvyCub]

Gee, seems from reading this thread that the Wrigley Company is wasting a lot of money on their signage on the rotation board behind home platre, aren't they?

 

Oh and Ted Turner has not owned the Braves in some time now. Liberty Media finalized their purchase of the club from Time Warner last May and that is why TBS will no longer carry Braves games...they will be on a channel owned by Liberty Media. At some point after the Turner merger with Time Warner AOL in 2000, Ted was slowly forced out and resigned in 06. After that was when Time Warner decided to start dumping the sports properties...Braves, Hawks and the hockey team who's name escapes me. Braves were the last of that group to be cut loose.

[RedIvyCub]

Does Zell have anything to do with the Under Armour adds in the power alleys? I don't have a big problem with that, but I don't think he gives a squirt of piss for the Cubs or Wrigley Field, just the opportunity to make a buck off it.

 

Nope, blame your Pal John McDonough (and his lacky Jay Blunk) for the UA signs in the outfield. Knew as soon as MacPhail was gone and no longer there to stop him that something would go on those outfield doors. Was chomping at the bit as many as five years ago wanting to put Nike swooshes on the outfield doors and was shut down.

[David]

Count me as one who has no problem with the UA signage in the outfield and one who thinks John McDonough was great for this organization.

[David]

With the exception of the concerts at Wrigley (if they were his brainchild). Torn up fields suck.

[Soul]

Am I the only one who's just like, bewildered after watching Zell drop f-bombs at the drop of a hat during some major press conference?

 

Holy crap that's who owns the Cubs now? :huh:

[seanimal]

Does Zell have anything to do with the Under Armour adds in the power alleys? I don't have a big problem with that, but I don't think he gives a squirt of piss for the Cubs or Wrigley Field, just the opportunity to make a buck off it.

 

Nope, blame your Pal John McDonough (and his lacky Jay Blunk) for the UA signs in the outfield. Knew as soon as MacPhail was gone and no longer there to stop him that something would go on those outfield doors. Was chomping at the bit as many as five years ago wanting to put Nike swooshes on the outfield doors and was shut down.

 

bitter much?

[jersey cubs fan]

Am I the only one who's just like, bewildered after watching Zell drop f-bombs at the drop of a hat during some major press conference?

 

Holy crap that's who owns the Cubs now? :huh:

 

And many just couldn't wait for any individual to buy the Cubs from the evil corporation.

 

Actually, the only video I saw was when he was talking to employees and muttered under his breath more or less. I didn't see one at a major press conference.

[ConstableRabbit]

This might seem like nitpicking, but the brand is "Wrigley's," not "Wrigley". The ballpark is named after a man who had his own gum company -- not the gum itself.

 

Think of the difference between "Marshall Field Arena" and "Marshall Fields' Arena" - "McDonald Park" and "McDonald's Park". I find it to be a huge one.

[seanimal]

History of whiny Cubs fans:

 

1928: Second deck added; fans complain that park is ruined due to obstructed views, apocalypse must be near

 

1937: Bleachers/Scoreboard added; fans complain that 'true fans' keep score themselves and don't need someone to do it for them, apocalypse must be near

 

1988: Lights added; fans complain that 'real baseball' is played in the sunshine, apocalypse must be near

 

2008: New Cubs owner says naming rights available; fans complain of 'tradition' and 'history', apocalypse must be near

[TruffleShuffle]

History of whiny Cubs fans:

 

1928: Second deck added; fans complain that park is ruined due to obstructed views, apocalypse must be near

 

1937: Bleachers/Scoreboard added; fans complain that 'true fans' keep score themselves and don't need someone to do it for them, apocalypse must be near

 

1988: Lights added; fans complain that 'real baseball' is played in the sunshine, apocalypse must be near

 

2008: New Cubs owner says naming rights available; fans complain of 'tradition' and 'history', apocalypse must be near

 

my God, is it your goal to alienate every member of this board by opening day? you're certainly well on your way.

[David]

This might seem like nitpicking, but the brand is "Wrigley's," not "Wrigley". The ballpark is named after a man who had his own gum company -- not the gum itself.

 

Think of the difference between "Marshall Field Arena" and "Marshall Fields' Arena" - "McDonald Park" and "McDonald's Park". I find it to be a huge one.

 

Honestly, I don't.

[daske17]

History of whiny Cubs fans:

 

1928: Second deck added; fans complain that park is ruined due to obstructed views, apocalypse must be near

 

1937: Bleachers/Scoreboard added; fans complain that 'true fans' keep score themselves and don't need someone to do it for them, apocalypse must be near

 

1988: Lights added; fans complain that 'real baseball' is played in the sunshine, apocalypse must be near

 

2008: New Cubs owner says naming rights available; fans complain of 'tradition' and 'history', apocalypse must be near

 

my God, is it your goal to alienate every member of this board by opening day? you're certainly well on your way.

 

+1

[wekse]

History of whiny Cubs fans:

 

1928: Second deck added; fans complain that park is ruined due to obstructed views, apocalypse must be near

 

1937: Bleachers/Scoreboard added; fans complain that 'true fans' keep score themselves and don't need someone to do it for them, apocalypse must be near

 

1988: Lights added; fans complain that 'real baseball' is played in the sunshine, apocalypse must be near

 

2008: New Cubs owner says naming rights available; fans complain of 'tradition' and 'history', apocalypse must be near

 

my God, is it your goal to alienate every member of this board by opening day? you're certainly well on your way.

 

+1

 

-1

[hawkcub]

Baseball immerses itself in history more then any other sport. People were talking about Bonds and the HR record for 2 years maybe 3. It was a big deal when he got to second place. In the 80's every Pete Rose at bat (when he got close to the record) was cutting in on prime time programming when pursuing the hits record.

 

This all being said the name Wrigley field is part of MLB's great history. You can go to many places in the world and many people know that Wrigley Field is the place the Chicago Cubs play baseball. Anyone who wants to taint it is just evil. So you people who think this is no big deal. You are just incorrect. Baseball is about history and the name Wrigley Field just oozes it.

[kycubsfan]

History of whiny Cubs fans:

 

1928: Second deck added; fans complain that park is ruined due to obstructed views, apocalypse must be near

 

1937: Bleachers/Scoreboard added; fans complain that 'true fans' keep score themselves and don't need someone to do it for them, apocalypse must be near

 

1988: Lights added; fans complain that 'real baseball' is played in the sunshine, apocalypse must be near

 

2008: New Cubs owner says naming rights available; fans complain of 'tradition' and 'history', apocalypse must be near

 

that's quite a reach, most everyone appreciated those changes (as they did the '89 skyboxes and '06 bleacher expansion) seeing as how they only served to improve the park.

 

why are you so passionate in your attack on 'tradition' and 'history'

[jmajew]

I had this discussion today with UMFAN83. My feeling on this is I am against purposely trying to destroy history. In my mind this is like selling the naming rights to Mount Rushmore, Mount Vernon, or the Statue of Liberty. History is what defines a country and a civilization. When you think of Italy we think of going to see the ruins of ancient Rome. When you think of Greece you think of the Parthenon. When you think of London you think of Big Ben. When tourist's come to Chicago they come to Wrigley Field. I cannot respect any man or any corporation that is willing to do this.

 

Even more so, I think selling the naming rights to Wrigley will lead to completely renovating the stadium. Meaning they will tear down the grandstand and rebuild. Since I forsee this happening I am happy that Zell is selling the stadium and the team separately. Because if it was the same owner and he destroyed history I can honestly say I don't know if I could be a Cubs fan anymore.

 

No I am not one of those fans who only likes the Cubs because of Wrigley. I will just despise the owner so much, that I would have a hard time bringing myself to follow the team. Don't get me wrong I'm sure I would, but that is how deep my hatred would be. I liken this to the Bill Wirtz effect. Because people hated him so much they stopped supporting a team they loved. Now that he has passed away the fans are coming back.

 

Lastly, I'm sure Zell will sell the stadium before selling the team. The reason he would do this is because he would then make the team sign a 20 year lease with the stadium. Thus preventing any new owner from building a new stadium somewhere else. And to be honest, I would prefer to have a new stadium built outside of Wrigleyville than see Wrigley changed so much.