Wrigley Expansion - Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs

‘Friendly at the Confines’ bringing soccer back to Wrigley

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:55:39 +0000

For the first time since 1984, Wrigley Field will host a soccer game July 22 when Italy’s AS Roma plays Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin in an international “Friendly at the Confines,” the Chicago Cubs said Wednesday.

Why Wrigley Field Must Be Destroyed

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:47:22 +0000

Wow, check out this article.

Wrigleyville rooftop club owners have been very good to Ald. Tunney

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:49:05 +0000

A week before Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) declared his opposition to new advertising signs the Cubs want to erect that could block the views of rooftop clubs overlooking Wrigley Field, the alderman’s political fund got contributions from three club owners.

The checks to the Citizens for Tunney fund included $2,500 from George Loukas — who owns the Cubby Bear Lounge as well as rooftop clubs — and $1,000 apiece from Ivy League Baseball Club and Right Field Rooftop LLC, owners of the Skybox on Sheffield club.

That makes at least $171,356.50 in all that Tunney has received from owners of the clubs, which offer fans a rooftop vantage to see Cubs games.

Problems with New Bleacher Ad Board

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:12:41 +0000

Scoreboard watching: The Braves became the third team to complain about the new LED board in right field that bullpen catchers say makes it difficult for them to see the ball coming out of the reliever’s hand while he is warming up.

The ball blends into the white lettering on the scoreboard ads and graphics, as was revealed in the Tribune two weeks ago after the Cardinals complained about it.

The Cubs said the problem would be fixed for the next homestand, but apparently it hasn’t been.

Cubs executives Wally Hayward and Carl Rice met with a Braves’ official Tuesday in the visitors’ bullpen to look at the problem from the catcher’s vantage point. A Cubs spokesman said they are looking at solutions, but declined to say what will be done.

Alderman against Rahm’s plan for area around Wrigley

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:43:48 +0000

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) on Monday declared his opposition to key elements of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to help the Cubs wring $150 million more in advertising and sponsorship revenues out of Wrigley Field and surrounding streets to minimize any taxpayer contribution toward renovating the 98-year-old stadium.

Tunney said he’s dead-set against any additional signage that blocks the view of the rooftop clubs overlooking Wrigley that share 17 percent of their revenues with the team.

“The rooftops and the owners of Wrigley have a unique partnership. They want to be protected long-term. They have a lot invested. The city has asked them to spend millions to keep their buildings safe. We’ve got to find ways they can both stay in business,” said Tunney, whose ward includes Wrigley.

Here’s the financial deal Cubs want to rebuild Wrigley

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:40:06 +0000

So exactly what deal do the Cubs and their owning Ricketts family want from Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the recent talks about how to rebuild Wrigley Field?

Someone who would know has given me the details. Though things are still moving around, the public is being asked to put in both less and more than you might suspect.

On the table is a $500 million or so plan — $300 million to reconstruct the nearly century-old Wrigley and $200 million for the “Triangle” parking, entertainment and multiuse structure off the west wall of the ballpark.

The family and/or team would pay for the Triangle building. That means $300 million is needed for the ballpark proper.

Half would come from the team, presumably in increased revenue from more signage inside Wrigley and retail and other entertainment in what amounts to a game-day carnival on Waveland Avenue on Wrigley’s north side and Sheffield Avenue to the east.

And half would come from $150 million or so in bonds to be retired with increased revenue from the existing city and Cook County amusement taxes on ticket sales. Specifically, debt service would get the first 6 percent in growth above a base level of around $15 million a year now.

2012 Cubs Attendance Watch

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:38:46 +0000

When this season began, I mentioned that I would make estimates of how many people were actually in Wrigley Field for each game. The attendance figures announced are the number of tickets sold, as you know; the number of no-shows for games has risen dramatically in the last couple of years, and so far, this year is continuing that trend.

What to eat at Wrigley Field: Phil Vettel reviews what’s new

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:49:13 +0000

Cubs fans will at least find something to cheer about with Wrigley Field’s menu additions

Ninety-eight-year-old Wrigley Field was not built with fine dining in mind. “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack” wasn’t just a song lyric; it was practically the whole menu. (Heck, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is only six years older than the park.) Concession spaces are tiny, ill-suited to producing a wide range of food.

Food vendors at Wrigley, therefore, operate at an infrastructural disadvantage, but they try. Executive chef David Burns (who works for Levy Restaurants, which handles Wrigley’s concessions) always manages to come up with a few new tricks.

Man pleads guilty to Wrigleyville bomb plot

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:12:08 +0000

A Chicago man of Lebanese descent pleaded guilty today in federal court to placing a backpack he thought contained a powerful explosive device in a trash container on a crowded street near Wrigley Field in September 2010.

Sami Samir Hassoun, 24, turned and blew a kiss to his family in the courtroom when the hearing concluded. He faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 15.

The explosive device Hassoun planted was inoperable and had been provided to him by undercover FBI agents.

Increased revenue from Wrigley rehab will provide on-field benefits for Cubs

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:45:13 +0000

Read article