the local broadcasting revenue is what will make or break the Cubs from a financial standpoint. they want to show their current partners and potential future partners how high their ratings can be. i mean, how much is one game going to make an impact in those negotiations for whatever they do in the future? as for right now, they make out the same either way with their current deal (maybe a little more ad revenue depending on how the WGN or ABC deals wound up being structured - I don't recall the details but I remember things being open ended based on how they actually did). then again, you can say the same for how real of an impact the ticket sale difference would make anyway. i just want my horsefeathering opening day day drinking back.