Pointing out the terms of their agreement, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel is objecting to the Chicago Cubs‘ desire to schedule more night games at Wrigley Field. (more…)
Tag Archives | rahm emanuel
Chicago unveils $6.5M in new spending on youth baseball facilities
Following the inspirational story of Jackie Robinson West winning the U.S. Little League championship, the city of Chicago — aided by Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs contributions — is putting $6.5 million in youth baseball and softball fields. We covered the topic of baseball in Chicago a couple times this summer, noting the emphasis […]
Wrigley Field renovations back on hold
With the Commission on Chicago Landmarks declining to review a proposed $375-million Wrigley Field renovation, the Chicago Cubs are once again stalled in their attempts to upgrade the 100-year-old ballpark. The latest proposal from the Cubs increased the spending by $75 million and added to the project greatly expanded clubhouses (the home one would be […]
Rooftop owners, Cubs disagree over Wrigley Field renovations
No surprise: the Chicago Cubs front office and owners of rooftop bleachers are still disagreeing over proposed changes to Wrigley Field that could impact the views from beyond the ballpark. It’s a symbiotic relationship to be sure: the Cubs provide the action, and the rooftop owners pay 17 percent of their revenues to sell remote […]
Chicago approves Wrigley Field expansion plan
The City Council approved a plan from the Chicago Cubs to expand the walls of Wrigley Field into Sheffield and Waveland avenues, clearing the way for more signage and bleacher party decks. The walls of the ballpark would extend 15 feet on Sheffield Avenue and 16 feet on Waveland Avenue, with both streets losing a […]
Wrigley Field upgrades approved by City Council
Now that the Chicago City Council has approved a $500-million makeover of Wrigley Field, the big question is when the five-year project will commence after Tom Ricketts demands cooperation from local rooftop owners. The passage was unanimous today for the Cubs to make over Wrigley Field with a revamped upper deck, widened concourses, additional restaurants […]
Cubs, Chicago agree on Wrigley Field updates
The Chicago Cubs and the city of Chicago reached an agreement on a series of Wrigley Field upgrades that will add signage and more night to the historic ballpark, as well as a new parking ramp to placate locals. The agreement, which had been in the works for weeks, will allow the Cubs to add […]
Cubs, Chicago close to Wrigley Field accord
The Chicago Cubs and the city of Chicago are close to finalizing a $500-million Wrigley Field renovation plan that preserves views for local rooftop owners, adds more video signage and includes a new 300-capacity parking garage. The deal, expected to be finalized for an announcement at Monday’s season opener, gives the Cubs the right to […]
Chicago mayor: We can work with Cubs on Wrigley Field renovations
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who cut off communications with the Ricketts family as part of a political spat, says the city can work with the Chicago Cubs on a Wrigley Field renovation plan as presented. Over the last two weeks the Cubs have made various announcements on their proposed plan for Wrigley Field renovations, including […]
The Week That Was: October 14
The future of Richmond baseball, spring training, new ownership in affiliated and indy ranks, and the new-ballpark efforts in Tampa Bay. The top stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Coca-Cola Field / Buffalo Bisons Glendale: We need to rework spring-training leases Spat between Cubs, Mayor Rahm continues Canal […]
Ricketts: We’re taking long-term view for Wrigley Field improvements
Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts addressed the ongoing silence between the team and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, saying any disagreements won’t matter in the long run. The team hasn’t made any headway on efforts to secure public financing of improvements to Wrigley Field since the political activities of family patriarch Joe Ricketts regarding a perceived smear […]
Spat between Cubs, Mayor Rahm continues
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says there’s been no contact between his office and the Chicago Cubs for the past five months, after the two sides disagreed over the political activities of Joe Ricketts. Ricketts is the family patriarch; the trust he set up owns the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. After Emanuel went out on […]
Can Bud Selig warm relationship between Cubs, politicians?
We’re not entirely sure Bud Selig will be able to patch things up between the Ricketts and Chicago politicians, but he reportedly will take a crack at lobbying for public money toward Wrigley Field renovations — holding an All-Star Game as an enticement. The Chicago Cubs ownership, led by Tom Ricketts, wants to spend $500 […]