New bill would divert amusement tax funds for Wrigley work

[J.R.]

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/11/as-they-push-for-state-aid-the-cubs-promise-to-upgrade-wrigley-.html

 

I really can't complain with any of this.

[Guest]

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/11/as-they-push-for-state-aid-the-cubs-promise-to-upgrade-wrigley-.html

 

I really can't complain with any of this.

But what about the understanding that the triangle building would be built in exchange for the bleacher expansion?

 

"The family had nothing to do with the prior legislation," Christman said. "They were handed a structure that was in dire need of First-aid."

That's a big problem. They knew this when they bought the team and agreed to take on the responsibility of ownership.

[daske17]

Despite all the negative press, I still believe that the legislature should pass this bill. Ricketts is correct in saying that Wrigley is the number three tourist destination in Illinois and should be treated as such. Just because it's owned by a private entity means nothing.

 

If major corporations are given tons of tax breaks for moving to Illinois, the Cubs should be given consideration. The state practically grabbed its ankles when Navistar got fed up with local government screwing with their expansion plans.

 

And the fact that the state and city are practically insolvent is immaterial. Neither are being deprived of any tax revenue.

 

This whole thing is just a joke. The White Sox get millions to renovate the Cell every couple years from the state. Soldier Field's renovation was paid for directly by the taxpayer. Even the United Center got state support.

[davell]

I'l admit to not keeping up with this as much as I probably should have. Am I right in thinking that Ricketts has zero leverage here? He has no where else to go and appears to not have another plan at all, other than patchwork improvements, if this doesn't go through?

 

I think they've been pretty creative in maximizing some new revenue streams, but without something like this to really boost things, I'm not sure what else is really plausible. Ticket prices are already stratospheric and there doesn't look to be alot of growth out there without something like this happening. So, alot of the profits are going to almost have to go back into patchwork improvements, if this thing gets shot down, right? Which could mean some lean years ahead on alot of fronts possibly.

[UMFan83]

Am I right in thinking that Ricketts has zero leverage here?

 

I think that's exactly it. What is he going to do, threaten to move the team? Close down the Cubs? Are people going to stop visiting the "3rd biggest tourist attraction" if the state doesn't give them money? What are the #1 and #2 tourist attractions? Are they raking in as much profit as the Cubs? I think Ricketts has no leverage and also these people are feeling Ricketts out. They aren't going to just hand out money to some guy who just spent close to a billion dollars on the team because he asks nicely. He needs to play hardball with them, but how?

[jersey cubs fan]

Am I right in thinking that Ricketts has zero leverage here?

 

I think that's exactly it. What is he going to do, threaten to move the team? Close down the Cubs? Are people going to stop visiting the "3rd biggest tourist attraction" if the state doesn't give them money? What are the #1 and #2 tourist attractions? Are they raking in as much profit as the Cubs? I think Ricketts has no leverage and also these people are feeling Ricketts out. They aren't going to just hand out money to some guy who just spent close to a billion dollars on the team because he asks nicely. He needs to play hardball with them, but how?

 

By not investing in the community. By talking with Milwaukee about playing a season there so they can do a more cost effective and comprehensive overhaul of the ballpark (taking away a lot of money from the area for a year). By alligning himself with the right mayoral candidate. There's a few things he can do.

[davell]

Am I right in thinking that Ricketts has zero leverage here?

 

I think that's exactly it. What is he going to do, threaten to move the team? Close down the Cubs? Are people going to stop visiting the "3rd biggest tourist attraction" if the state doesn't give them money? What are the #1 and #2 tourist attractions? Are they raking in as much profit as the Cubs? I think Ricketts has no leverage and also these people are feeling Ricketts out. They aren't going to just hand out money to some guy who just spent close to a billion dollars on the team because he asks nicely. He needs to play hardball with them, but how?

 

By not investing in the community. By talking with Milwaukee about playing a season there so they can do a more cost effective and comprehensive overhaul of the ballpark (taking away a lot of money from the area for a year). By alligning himself with the right mayoral candidate. There's a few things he can do.

 

 

Good ideas for sure, but shouldn't he have thought about these BEFORE he asked for the money and said he has no other plans? Now, if he threatens leaving for a season or something like that, doesn't he just come across that much worse at that point?

[UMFan83]

Am I right in thinking that Ricketts has zero leverage here?

 

I think that's exactly it. What is he going to do, threaten to move the team? Close down the Cubs? Are people going to stop visiting the "3rd biggest tourist attraction" if the state doesn't give them money? What are the #1 and #2 tourist attractions? Are they raking in as much profit as the Cubs? I think Ricketts has no leverage and also these people are feeling Ricketts out. They aren't going to just hand out money to some guy who just spent close to a billion dollars on the team because he asks nicely. He needs to play hardball with them, but how?

 

By not investing in the community. By talking with Milwaukee about playing a season there so they can do a more cost effective and comprehensive overhaul of the ballpark (taking away a lot of money from the area for a year). By alligning himself with the right mayoral candidate. There's a few things he can do.

 

Shows how much I thought my post out. All valid points. But if he doesn't invest in the community, I would guess Daley and the new mayor are going to make it really hard for him to do anything in Chicago. More night games? How bout less? Very valid point about playing in Milwaukee for a year. That will piss Cubs fans off enough to make a stink about it, to go on top of the money the city would lose, as you said.

 

So it makes me feel like the initial rejection by Daley and to a lesser extent Quinn (who seemed legitimately offended that he wasn't contacted about the proposal) is just them playing hardball and seeing how the Ricketts family will respond. Like I said, they aren't just going to give out money because the Cubs ask and put together a fancy presentation.

[jersey cubs fan]

Am I right in thinking that Ricketts has zero leverage here?

 

I think that's exactly it. What is he going to do, threaten to move the team? Close down the Cubs? Are people going to stop visiting the "3rd biggest tourist attraction" if the state doesn't give them money? What are the #1 and #2 tourist attractions? Are they raking in as much profit as the Cubs? I think Ricketts has no leverage and also these people are feeling Ricketts out. They aren't going to just hand out money to some guy who just spent close to a billion dollars on the team because he asks nicely. He needs to play hardball with them, but how?

 

By not investing in the community. By talking with Milwaukee about playing a season there so they can do a more cost effective and comprehensive overhaul of the ballpark (taking away a lot of money from the area for a year). By alligning himself with the right mayoral candidate. There's a few things he can do.

 

 

Good ideas for sure, but shouldn't he have thought about these BEFORE he asked for the money and said he has no other plans? Now, if he threatens leaving for a season or something like that, doesn't he just come across that much worse at that point?

 

I doubt he cares how he comes across, unless he has plans to run for governor. But Illinois votes for scumbags anyway so who cares? He can play the nice guy by saying we have this lovely plan and would just like a little help with the tax policy to make it feasible, and if he is denied, then he can have underlings play hardball. This is almost certainly why Kenney is still around and going to be his responsibility. I'm sure they have some sort of game plan that they are following.

[javy knows my name]

I think I'm more fed up with capitalism than I am with politics. And when the two coincide, as they so often do...

 

BARF

[daske17]

I doubt he cares how he comes across, unless he has plans to run for governor. But Illinois votes for scumbags anyway so who cares? He can play the nice guy by saying we have this lovely plan and would just like a little help with the tax policy to make it feasible, and if he is denied, then he can have underlings play hardball. This is almost certainly why Kenney is still around and going to be his responsibility. I'm sure they have some sort of game plan that they are following.

 

Exactly. I doubt he's so naive that he has no plan B. I'm betting there are enough suburbs that would acquiesce to any and all demands from the Ricketts if they decide that playing in Wrigley is no longer safe and/or feasible.

[davell]

What about naming rights possibly? Would the outcry be THAT much to keep this from happening? I'm sure they could find a way to keep Wrigley in the title somehow. Only reason I ask this is because Citibank is paying the Mets 20 mill a year for the next 20 years.

[Sammy Sofa]

Something like "...presents Wrigley Field" would be fine. Anyone who has a problem with that when it could bring in some serious cash is hopeless.

[Soul]

Something like "...presents Wrigley Field" would be fine. Anyone who has a problem with that when it could bring in some serious cash is hopeless.

 

I'm with you, but I think you'll agree that means there are scads of hopeless people out there.

[Sammy Sofa]

Probably. Same people that cried about the Under Armour logos and the Bud Light Bleachers.

[UMFan83]

Probably. Same people that cried about the Under Armour logos and the Bud Light Bleachers.

 

Yeah but those people are all morons and their opinions don't deserve to be heard.

[jersey cubs fan]

Something like "...presents Wrigley Field" would be fine. Anyone who has a problem with that when it could bring in some serious cash is hopeless.

 

Post economic collapse + not allowing the company to take the full name - ala, Citi Field - you won't get nearly the same deal. The marque will stay the same, but you can get the name out there. Definitely worth it, but it's going to be tough.

[Soul]

Something like "...presents Wrigley Field" would be fine. Anyone who has a problem with that when it could bring in some serious cash is hopeless.

 

Post economic collapse + not allowing the company to take the full name - ala, Citi Field - you won't get nearly the same deal. The marque will stay the same, but you can get the name out there. Definitely worth it, but it's going to be tough.

 

Yeah.

 

Heck, why don't we just do it all the way then? People are going to know it's Wrigley.

[jersey cubs fan]

Something like "...presents Wrigley Field" would be fine. Anyone who has a problem with that when it could bring in some serious cash is hopeless.

 

Post economic collapse + not allowing the company to take the full name - ala, Citi Field - you won't get nearly the same deal. The marque will stay the same, but you can get the name out there. Definitely worth it, but it's going to be tough.

 

Yeah.

 

Heck, why don't we just do it all the way then? People are going to know it's Wrigley.

 

I think the backlash against that would make it less worthwhile for the company that is naming it.

 

I think eventually they will name the "campus" something, so it will be Wrigley Field at XYZ Park. That name will be all over the Triangle building and on top of the facade.

[Sammy Sofa]

BRING ON VIAGRA FIELD.

[BeerHere]

I sincerely hope they build a park in the burbs and screw over the entire city and neighborhood in the process.

 

edit: though I highly doubt it happens

[BeerHere]

The new TD Ameritrade at Wrigley Field should be located in Hoffman Estates or something like that.

[Sammy Sofa]

I sincerely hope they build a park in the burbs and screw over the entire city and neighborhood in the process.

 

edit: though I highly doubt it happens

 

I'd be curious to see how/if that could work out for the Cubs. On the one hand you lose the tourist/visiting fan factor. On the other hand you gain a huge suburban market of people who don't want to trek downtown. On the other hand, as soon as you start getting out of the city you start finding more and more fans of neither the White Sox or the Cubs.

[SouthSideRyan]

A park in the suburbs is a terrible idea.

[javy knows my name]

I sincerely hope they build a park in the burbs and screw over the entire city and neighborhood in the process.

 

edit: though I highly doubt it happens

 

I'd be curious to see how/if that could work out for the Cubs. On the one hand you lose the tourist/visiting fan factor. On the other hand you gain a huge suburban market of people who don't want to trek downtown. On the other hand, as soon as you start getting out of the city you start finding more and more fans of neither the White Sox or the Cubs.

I'd be more curious to see what it would do to the neighborhood. I imagine it would go to hell, but it could also become more edgy/less douchey like a Bucktown or Lincoln Square maybe.

 

But it would probably go to hell