Somewhat OT: Wrigley Chewing Gum

by LPLancer23 on Apr 28, 2008 10:16 PM CDT

For those of you who thought there was somewhat of a chance that Wrigley would buy our stadium, it's not going to happen. Today, Mars Inc. (Candy Company-Spearmint/Juicy Fruit gums, Life Savers, etc.) agreed to buy out the Wrigley Gum Company for $23 billion dollars. According to marketwatch.com, the deal will create a candy/gum superpower with net income of $28 billion a year. So it doesnt look like this Wrigley company is looking to invest in this Wrigley Field. Kind of interesting, almost irrelevant to the Cubs because they were never really much in the running for the Wrigley sale,but just some food for thought (or maybe gum, it lasts longer).

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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Mars Field?

Mmm…. 3 Musketeers Ballpark….

CUBS WIN! CUE THE ORCHESTRA!

by Keith on Apr 28, 2008 10:37 PM CDT reply actions

I thought Spearmint and Juicy Fruit

were made by Wrigley, not Mars. Anyway, people were speculating in the previous diary about the company headquarters moving out of Chicago. The AP story says the headquarters will stay in Chicago, with Wrigley taking over the manufacturing of Starburst and Skittles from Mars. Bill Wrigley will remain as executive chairman. Mars is still a family owned, privately held company. The story also mentions that William Wrigley and Frank Mars used to watch baseball games together. I’m assuming they were Cubs games.

"My bed is pulling me, gravity, daysleeper. Daaaysleeper."

by markleonette on Apr 28, 2008 10:46 PM CDT reply actions

Hey, what's wrong with the Snickers Bleachers at M&M Field?

:-)

by Fraggin Judge on Apr 28, 2008 11:42 PM CDT reply actions

And don't forget... Warren Buffett is a big baseball fan

I’m pretty sure he’s still a part owner of the Omaha Royals, AAA affiliate of the KC Royals. So it’s not inconceivable to think that he might consider buying naming rights to Wrigley Field – IF he felt there was value in it. Could go a long way to establishing goodwill with Chicago and its citizens. I’m sure the whole Marshall Fields/Macys debacle was not lost on him.

Obviously it would be dependent on the Wrigley name still being prominent in the new structure of the combined companies. If the Wrigley name goes away and it’ll be Mars everywhere, then I don’t see him getting involved.

Sam Zell and Warren Buffett – now that would be an interesting business meeting to observe…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Apr 28, 2008 11:57 PM CDT reply actions

Irrelevant, as you said.

First, there was another post on this exact topic earlier Monday.

I will repeat what I said then: the Wrigley Company has no connection to the Cubs. I’m not sure why you even thought to post this here.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 29, 2008 3:21 AM CDT reply actions

I agree Al.

The Wrigley name of the ballpark was never associated to the gum company.

by montecarlo on Apr 29, 2008 4:37 AM CDT reply actions

I Don't Care What You Call Wrigley Field

Okay, if it’s Mars Field, I don’t care. It may be showing its age (after all, it is over 90 years old), but that park at Clark and Addison is still going to be the same, old place that we all (or least, most of us) love.

by memphiscub on Apr 29, 2008 7:49 AM CDT reply actions

LSA

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 29, 2008 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions

LSA agreed

But I dont think Mars is going to change Wrigley to Mars, IMO they bought the company and the name.

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

by Hammer on Apr 29, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

That's not just your opinion.

In fact, Wrigley will continue to be a standalone company operating under Mars’ ownership. They will continue to have a CEO, just not a chairman and a board and company stock.

I doubt the average consumer of the two companies’ products will notice a bit of difference after the acquisition is complete.

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

by Al Yellon on Apr 29, 2008 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

The only noticeable difference to the average consumer will, eventually, be new products, sales of Mars products at the Wrigley building, etc. IMO there won’t be a noticeable difference to the average consumer.

William Wrigley, Jr. will remain the executive chairman, and Wrigley’s headquarters will remain in Chicago.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Apr 29, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Well....

this has all been very interesting stuff to chew on for a while. : ) (With jokes like that, I’m not expecting The Second City to call any time soon, but I couldn’t resist.)

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Apr 29, 2008 11:16 AM CDT reply actions