Gee A New Controversy

by Chodes on Apr 11, 2008 2:11 PM CDT

Today's Trib business section had an article on various naming rights being sold by sports teams. They talk about the changes at Wrigley and how the Cubs might follow the model the Yankees are using which is to sell many smaller sections to various companies rather than renaming the entire ballpark.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-fri-naming_rights-apr11,0,1268349.story

Here is a more controversial follow up article on the CBOE sign along the thrid base wall. Is this a big deal or not? Discuss

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2008/04/is-wrigleys-new.html

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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non issue

I see no problem with the cubs selling naming rights to different parts of the park. I'd much rather see the Best Buy Upper Deck than Goose Island Grounds aka The Gig, or whatever else could possibly happen.

---AC 00 00 00 - Believe

by mjk83 on Apr 11, 2008 2:14 PM CDT reply actions

I care more

about Lou actually giving Pie a chance than I do the name of the stadium. From my street I can hear the crowd and see the upper deck, as far as Im concerned when I look down the street I see Wrigley Field no matter what its called.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Apr 11, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed!

I think they've hit on a solution that will get them the money they want without pissing people off. I wouldn't call it a controversy, I'd call it a creative solution.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 11, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Turner Field seems to do a decent job with sectional naming

While I can't stand the multimedia showcase that is Turner Field, the rest of the park is done quite well. This includes the Lexus Pavilion, Golden Moon Casino Level, Henry Aaron Seats, am/pm etc.

Granted they have no history to overcome, but the naming of sections takes nothing away from the game or experience. I wish the same could be said of the speaker system.

I have no response to that.

by stelmodad on Apr 11, 2008 2:28 PM CDT reply actions

Well the controversy

is in the second article that questions whether the CUBS violated the landmark status of the wall.

by Chodes on Apr 11, 2008 2:33 PM CDT reply actions

Geez

I don't think there was any serious chance that "Wrigley Field" would ever become "Insert Corporate Name Here Park." Just like I never really thought that over the past oh 20 years or so, no matter how many times the Trib may have threatened, that they would move to Downers Grove and build a giant Tropicana Field-esque monstrosity. They want money, hell, who doesn't? And they like to bluff. They like to say, "Well.....if we don't get this, we'll move the team to Florida or build a new stadium with a dome AND astroturf, or we'll call it Haliburton Field or Blackwater Park." It's a tried and true trick that just about anybody with any semblance of power can do. If they had started with section naming rights many people would have been against it and it may not have come to fruition, but now section naming rights sounds fine and dandy. Hell, they sound great to me too!

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Apr 11, 2008 2:51 PM CDT reply actions

Has the Trib

ever threatned to move to Florida or build a new ballpark?? I think you are confused with the Minor League Ballclub owners on the Southside.

by Chodes on Apr 11, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Or the movie Major League

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Apr 11, 2008 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

CBOE

Whether or not it is okay, that advertisement is a complete hunk of _______. It is ugly and yes, I know they were trying to make it like the numbers in the ivy, I thnk it looks stupid and sticks out horribly. Maybe if it had ivy all around it and even covering it, I wold be okay with it but i hate it.

Calm down.

by Kinky Reggae on Apr 11, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions

But you can barely notice it

especially when we are watching the game.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Apr 11, 2008 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

On a similar topic

I hope the Cubs re-worked their sponsorship deal with Van Kampen investments for having their name on the rolled up tarp. Contrary to what some thought when it was to be moved to the 1st base line, the tarp is now constantly in view on TV. When that particular camera angle is used on the pitcher, you can't see any brick because of the tarp - which takes up the entire background. Van Kampen is totally getting their money's worth.

"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome

by JohnM on Apr 11, 2008 4:04 PM CDT reply actions

Aint no thang

The small CBOE on the 3rd base line doesn't concern me, in face I hardly notice it from the bleachers. I work at Wrigley and the whole time Im there I don't even notice it, I would not mind at all if they sold naming rights to different parts of the park as long as they don't change the name of Wrigley I don't care....The men's room troughs brought to you by valtrex...something like that

"We Are Not Fair Weather But Foul Weather Fans, Brothers In Arms In Streets and The Stands." -Eddie Vedder, Someday We'll Go All The Way

by ryanbrixenivy on Apr 11, 2008 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

Heck, I don't care if they

change the name of the ballpark. I pay to see the team and I could NOT care any less what they call the park. Fix it up or move to a park in the 21st century. Quaint is nice, but overall it is meaningless.

by cubswin on Apr 11, 2008 5:17 PM CDT reply actions

First off, it's the media

their primary job is to expound on or create controversy.

Second, it's all about the caaaaash, as Golic would say about his "sheets of integrity".

The easiest way they can maximize the caaaaash, will be the way they go.

And I don't believe for one minute that the caaaaaash that is brought in from these "sales" will do anything for player payroll. It's for Zell to pay down some of that debt.

by blackhawk24 on Apr 12, 2008 9:46 AM CDT reply actions