Portillos Park?!?

by Rev Gunia on Dec 22, 2007 11:01 AM CST

According to AOL.com's PostmanE, new Tribune Company/Cubs owner Sam Zell is considering selling the naming rights to Wrigley Field.

Writes PostmanE, "he's dropping knowledge on his plans for the sale of the Cubs, including one interesting caveat: Wrigley Field's naming rights will be up for grabs..."

The article goes on to recklessly speculate that Portillos Hot Dogs might pony up the cash to have their name attacked to our beloved park, but then also mentions that a national corporation would be more likely.

This reopens a number of debate topics. I seem to recall many posters on this website decrying the new advertising signage in the outfield. Will a renamed stadium cause you to avoid more games? Will you boycott whoever purchases the naming rights?

Is advertising inside the ballpark and even a stadium name change something you'd be willing to give up for more payroll?

Considering previous online discussions and Postman E's comment that, "The bleacher bums embrace the history of Wrigley even as the stadium crumbles down around them," does this hasten the day a wrecking ball is taken to Wrigley and the Cubs play in a new ballpark?

The article in reference can be found at: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/12/21/welcome-to-wrigley-field-at-portillos-park/?ncid=NWS000100 00000001

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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If they give away free Beef and Cheddar's

I am not avoiding it! ;)

by dlansfor on Dec 22, 2007 11:17 AM CST reply actions

The thought occurs to me....

... while there MIGHT be some overreacting here about naming rights, just the same, it really could happen. For the purists out there who collect "Wrigley Field" anything, now might be the time to get that t-shirt or two or whatever it is that carries "Wrigley Field" on it before a corporate name gets attached to it.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Dec 22, 2007 11:48 AM CST reply actions

ugh, no.

I'd rather see increased advertising inside the park as opposed to watching games in Verizon Wireless Stadium. Some company should by the naming rights and keep it called Wrigley Field. Obviously not going to happen, but I'd love the company that did it.

by 10 14 23 26 on Dec 22, 2007 12:16 PM CST reply actions

That'a a problem....

As a displaced Chicagoan who loves Portillo's I don't know how I feel about this....

However to be honest I don't think anyone would be dumb enough to buy the name of Wrigley and change it. That will piss off fans big time.

by ak123 on Dec 22, 2007 12:52 PM CST reply actions

There are many things

that make the Cubs unique, and the 1st through 3rd drawing team year in and year out. The more they remove the uniqueness, the more they are risking what draws people to this organization. Eventually, if there's nothing that really makes them any different then the Philadelphia Phillies, or Pittsburgh Pirates, or Milwaukee Brewers, well, that's what they will eventually become.

by paulucla on Dec 22, 2007 1:35 PM CST reply actions

How about Wrigley Field?

The Wrigley scion now running the company has taken some bold moves, such as moving into other candy besides gum. I don't know how many people even associate the name "Wrigley Field" with the product today. (Yes, it was named after the person, not the company, but it still had a bit of an advertising effect at the time). If anything, Wrigley Field might be a more well-known brand than Wrigley gum, with people recognizing names like Extra, Doublemint, or other flavors.

So, all's I am saying is that I could imagine a deal in which the naming rights of the stadium go to...the Wrigley company! They gain the right to increased signage, marketing tie-ins, and brand promotions, and keep the name from becoming associated with some other product.

Free the upper deck!

by cubzfan on Dec 22, 2007 1:46 PM CST reply actions

My thoughts exactly

They could even brand the packages with a picture of Wrigley and/or the welcome sign. It's a marriage made in heaven and an obvious solution. Maybe that's why it probably won't happen.

Imagine it. Wrigley's Wrigley Field. Kinda like the Doublemint twins.

If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.

by tharr on Dec 22, 2007 5:46 PM CST up reply actions

Im missing something....

If Zell sells the team and stadium in one deal to the same owner, then what would the naming rights matter? Would the new owner have to owner that contract?

If the naming deal is made with Zell, but then Zell sells the stadium to a new owner, are they held to that contract?

Back to Back to Back AAU National Champion

by bren on Dec 22, 2007 2:04 PM CST reply actions

It depends

on the terms of the sale. Zell could sell the rights and keep that contract. It wouldn't necessarily have to be transferred to the new owner.

I could see this really pissing off the Canning Group, whom I'm sure are already planning how much money the naming rights will make them.

If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.

by tharr on Dec 22, 2007 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

Right, but

What I was getting at is if he sells Wrigley, he no longer owns it, and so any deal he made prior to sale wouldnt hold any bearing on the new owner-that was my question, Id be curious to know. i assume theres someway he can do this, otherwise it wouldnt be getting much press.

Back to Back to Back AAU National Champion

by bren on Dec 22, 2007 9:02 PM CST up reply actions

Any binding agreements...

...that include Wrigley Field would be included in the deal. That includes things like concessions, maintnance and construction, waste disposal, and concerts. What you're really selling when you sell naming rights are a contract -- a derivative, in financial terms.

He is selling those rights, in this scenario. By the time he goes to sell the field/team, he already has the money. And the language of that new contract would be binding on the new owner.

I would suggest you learn to truly interrupt all stats before using any selective stats. -- cubswin

by cwyers on Dec 22, 2007 9:57 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think...

... Zell is going to be selling any naming rights before the sale of the park. Whoever winds up being the new owner will be the entity selling the naming rights. At least that's how I read it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 23, 2007 4:15 AM CST up reply actions

Im so agianst this

I think this is stupid, i cant believe anyone would think of changing the name of historic Wrigley Field. Isnt Wrigley a landmark? doesnt that tie in somewhere?

by Believeincubbieblue23 on Dec 22, 2007 2:23 PM CST reply actions

Landmark

I could be wrong so someone please correct me:

I don't think naming has anything to do with Wrigley but it can't be torn down. For example is someone buys Wrigley Field but for whatever reason he and the owner of the Cubs don't get along and Cubs go somewhere else (WHICH WILL NEVER HAPPEN I HOPE) the owner Wrigley Field cannot tear it down. I think he can change the name as many times as he wants though.

by ak123 on Dec 22, 2007 2:39 PM CST up reply actions

Great tamales.

Dallas Green!

by SonnyJ9 on Dec 22, 2007 2:38 PM CST reply actions

Would it improve

the quality of food at the ballpark? Right now the food is pretty awful compared with most other stadiums I've been to - I could really go for some Portillo's beef while watching the Cubs.

Seriously though, no matter what they do, it will always be Wrigley. If they suddenly decide to call it "Port-a-John Park" I will still call it Wrigley Field, and I assume most fans will to. Most of the Sox fans I know still call The Cell Comiskey - even "The Cell" nickname kind of defeats the purpose of paying for naming rights.

I may be wrong, but I believe the marquee may be protected by the landmark status (I think it's the ivy, the scoreboard, and the marquee), so they'd have to deal with that problem.

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Dec 22, 2007 3:08 PM CST reply actions

food at Wrigley

I never understood the criticism of food at Wrigley when we've always been able to bring food into the park all these years. Grabbing a bag of hotdogs or Italian beef sandwiches from a neighborhood vendor and bringing them into the park has been one thing that has always made Wrigley so unique. Most parks around the country don't allow you to bring in any type of beverage or food.

I would hate to see a policy like this changed as a result of new ownership and the selling of naming rights to a company like Portillos.

speedskater

by speedskater on Dec 22, 2007 4:18 PM CST up reply actions

good point

I usually bring in food from Wrigleyville Dogs to the game (or McDonalds if I'm in a hurry), but it would be nice to just get that high quality food right there at the park. I've been to 17 big league parks and a couple dozen minors and I can only recall a handfull where the food was as bad as Wrigley's.

I didn't care so much in the past, because we'd all just hit the bars and restaurants after the game for some great Chicago food - but now that I have kids, it'd be nice to feed everyone good food right there at the park. One stop shopping.

This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.

by HectorVillanueva on Dec 22, 2007 9:40 PM CST up reply actions

FYI

The food at the United Center is terrible. I also got a hotdog there where I couldnt even chew the bun

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Dec 26, 2007 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

I predict

I predict a competitor to US Cellular buys the naming rights.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 22, 2007 4:37 PM CST reply actions

That makes little or no sense.

Almost all naming rights to stadiums are bought by companies with some local connection. US Cellular is a Chicago-based company. There aren't any other cellular phone service companies based in Chicago, to my knowledge.

I suppose Motorola is a possibility, but they make phones, not sell service.

As was posted above, a new owner going to the Wrigley company and trying to sell them the rights would seem rather poetic.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 23, 2007 4:18 AM CST up reply actions