By Paul SullivanIf the Cubs decide to place advertising signage on the large green boards erected in the Wrigley Field bleachers, as expected, it's unlikely to be subjected to landmark review.
"We looked at the landmark ordinance and don't think it would be covered," said Jim Peters, president of Landmark Illinois, the Chicago-based historic preservation advocacy group. "The chain-link fence is listed as a 'non-contributing element' (to Wrigley's landmark status.)"
The Cubs attached a pair of green, plywood boards to the chain-link fence at the back of the left-field bleachers late last week, potentially blocking the view of the Horseshoe Casino ad on a Waveland Avenue rooftop for most TV camera shots.
There are no ads on the signboards, and more than four months remain before the 2010 home opener. But the decision to put the boards up now signals a new willingness by the Cubs to fight against what the organization believes is poaching of their brand.
"We need to look at our corporate partners and protect the value of our brand as an organization," said Wally Hayward, who immediately walked into a controversy Monday after being named the Cubs' new executive vice-president, chief sales and marketing officer.
Hayward referred to the bleachers as "the Bud Light Bleachers," an
indication a beer company ad eventually may be placed in the designated
spot. It would be the first ad on an outfield fence at Wrigley, and
would not impede the view of the Cubs' rooftop partners, who contribute
17 percent of their profits to the Cubs from an agreement reached in
2004.
Hayward said the wooden boards are not signs, calling them a "placeholder" in case the Cubs decide to put something there. He declined to address the possibility of the boards blocking the casino ad in TV shots, but mentioned that individuals have "created businesses" around Cubs home games "for a lot of years," adding: "I'm big on partnerships and relationships."
Tom Gramatis, the owner of the rooftop building, did not return phone calls. A Horseshoe Casino spokesman could not be reached for comment.
A spokesman for the Ricketts family referred questions to "team operations," saying the family declined to comment.
No matter what the Cubs do with that particular space, the search for added revenue streams will be one of Hayward's priorities in his new job. Hayward said he will work closely with chairman Ricketts and president Crane Kenney in developing the "Triangle building" to the west of Wrigley. There is no start date, but Kenney said last month it could be built during the 2011 season and be ready for 2012.
Hayward spoke of "keeping Wrigley Field pure and enhancing the experience" for Cubs fans, though he said it was too early to detail what they have in mind. He would not rule out the installation of a Jumbotron, which he said is "on a long list" of ideas and suggestions he has been presented. Hayward said he expected "tinkering" in the suites, and speculation is that exclusive club seating, like the Scouts Seats behind home plate at U.S. Cellular Field, may be part of the Cubs' future.
As for the possibility of the Cubs reducing the amount of organ playing in favor of taped music, as the White Sox have done in recent years, Hayward laughed and said he's "a fan" of the Wrigley Field organ.
Hayward said the wooden boards are not signs, calling them a "placeholder" in case the Cubs decide to put something there. He declined to address the possibility of the boards blocking the casino ad in TV shots, but mentioned that individuals have "created businesses" around Cubs home games "for a lot of years," adding: "I'm big on partnerships and relationships."
Tom Gramatis, the owner of the rooftop building, did not return phone calls. A Horseshoe Casino spokesman could not be reached for comment.
A spokesman for the Ricketts family referred questions to "team operations," saying the family declined to comment.
No matter what the Cubs do with that particular space, the search for added revenue streams will be one of Hayward's priorities in his new job. Hayward said he will work closely with chairman Ricketts and president Crane Kenney in developing the "Triangle building" to the west of Wrigley. There is no start date, but Kenney said last month it could be built during the 2011 season and be ready for 2012.
Hayward spoke of "keeping Wrigley Field pure and enhancing the experience" for Cubs fans, though he said it was too early to detail what they have in mind. He would not rule out the installation of a Jumbotron, which he said is "on a long list" of ideas and suggestions he has been presented. Hayward said he expected "tinkering" in the suites, and speculation is that exclusive club seating, like the Scouts Seats behind home plate at U.S. Cellular Field, may be part of the Cubs' future.
As for the possibility of the Cubs reducing the amount of organ playing in favor of taped music, as the White Sox have done in recent years, Hayward laughed and said he's "a fan" of the Wrigley Field organ.
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they should build a green monster of their own and block out those fools across the street.
I guess nobody has been able to steal my real tag: NadaSurf2009 here.
I like how Cub fan Nada says the Cubs will win it "again."
Again as since 1908.
Fans want their teams to win championships. Why do you care about the "feel" or authenticity of a stadium? If a team has more money, then they will have more to spend on free agents or their scouting department.
Sports is a business. Deal with it.
Wrigley Field is not only a landmark, but it is the most important structure in North America. Home to my CHICAGO CUBS!
Sox can keep the cell and all the mullethead miller high life drunks, Wriglety Field is WHERE REAL BASEBALL IS PLAYED IN CHICAGO.
True dat.
2010 will bring the title to the North Siders again.
Here to help
Nada Surf
This isn't a huge deal to me. I'd rather them do things like this than end up putting themselves in a hole that would force a drastic change or a relocation to a new stadium in the burbs.
I feel the Rickett's family will take much better care of the ballpark and the tradition than any of the other ownership groups would have.
And in regards to ticket prices....the Cubs aren't the only team in the majors that have driven up prices in the last 20 years. It's called supply and demand and the Cubs would be dumb to offer something they have a limited supply of given the huge demand. The ONLY teams you see promoting half price ticket nights or $5 seats are the teams that aren't going to sell those tickets anyway, so they might as well get something for them in hopes that people will spend money on concessions - it's not that just really love the fans and want what is best for their family budgets.
If the Cubs offered up $5 seats then the scalpers would still get a hold of them and sell them for $50.
When you spend close to a Billion Dollars for a business, you are going to find a way to get return on your investment. This ad board thing is a red herring. What will happen is that, 1. Ticket prices will go up. 2. Wrigley Field will be "upgraded" by taking out sections of seats and installing Ultra Expensive Suites. Trust me, Wrigley is going to change Big Time!! I remember paying 8 bucks for a ticket to sit in left field. I have gone to my last Cub Game, and that was years ago.
how did they get the permit to put that big sign up on top of the building--- what is this the new trend on the northside puting up sign top of your building ---what about safety--where is ald tunney and the zoning comm they must have giving their ok on this project don`t blame the build inspectors their in jail-- THATS THE CHICAGO WAY take care of city hall and you will get any permit you want--money talks and bs walks
Please do NOT put a jumbotron in Wrigley. It is one of the last remaining baseball parks where you can actually watch the game and experience the park. If we want to watch tv, we'll stay at home.
Now we will be subjected to in your face advertisements to distract from the lousy performers on the field. What a deal! Perhaps revenue generated from these billboards will be used to pay for Milton Bradley's and Alfonso Soriano's outrageous contracts.
He called them the "Bud Light Bleachers" because that's what they've been called since they revamped them. No indications of what signage might go up - the guy was naming the current sponsor.
Exactly where do they expect to put this Jumbotron? I think it would be a bad idea and ruin the look and feel of the ballpark. If it's on a long list, hopefully it's pretty far down.
Right - I believe it's 17% of revenues, not of profits. Who is this Paul Sullivan guy writing the article??
Actually Roof Top club owners agreed to pay 17% of revenues toward the Cubs in 2004. Buildings with advertising bill boards only share 13% of revenues with the Cubs.