Anyone know what happened to the Budweiser House?

by Leon Durham on Sep 18, 2008 12:01 AM CDT

For quite some time, the Kelly family has owned a house on Sheffiend and Kenmore that is known throughout Cubdom as the roof has been an advertisement for Budwieser. I don't know how much Bud paid for the honor, but the result has been that the Bud ad has become a part of the scene at Wrigley.

At tonight's game, I noticed that a tarp (or series of tarps) has been fastened to the house, covering the ad for Bud.

Does anyone know the story behind this?

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i noticed

the same thing. it was very odd to have it gone so suddenly. also, for the first time ever, there were a bunch of people just sitting out on the roof.

by neifi on Sep 18, 2008 12:12 AM CDT 0 recs

Our group noticed it too

We speculated that it may have something to do with ESPN. Was Miller Beer a sponsor on the ESPN broadcast? Could it be that Miller has some exclusivity clause in their television advertising deal, with ESPN? It did seem to be some sort of tarp, covering the Budweiser advertising.

By the way, the people seen on the rooftop are actually on the building behind the Budweiser building. The Budweiser building has a peaked roof. The building behind has a flat roof. Since they are both at the same height, it does create that illusion. I have seen people on that rooftop before. Depending on where you sit, in Wrigley, determines whether you can see the people on the second rooftop.

by holy mackerel on Sep 18, 2008 12:49 AM CDT 0 recs

if it isn't owned by the Cubs

they should be able to put up whatever they want to, regardless of espn’s contracts. Further, I don’t think there is any connection betweent the broadcasting rights and the in-stadium advertising (for instance, you’ll see ads for radio stations that compete with espn radio).

by TC Cubby on Sep 18, 2008 8:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

Your are right...

that house is private property. I forgot about that. MLB/Cubs/ESPN would not have any control over what is advertised on that rooftop. Thanks for pointing that out.

by holy mackerel on Sep 18, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

...and ESPN

Did show the Bud Light Bleachers sign on the outside of the stadium.

by jbertram on Sep 18, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

Is it because of a deal or contract that has to do with advertising

when the team is nationally televised on, say, ESPN?

Not sure…. just a possible answer.

DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?

Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.

by EJThunder on Sep 18, 2008 1:12 AM CDT 0 recs

I'm an idiot...

I didn’t look at mackerel’s post…

DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?

Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.

by EJThunder on Sep 18, 2008 1:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

That can't be it...

Considering there are ballparks named “Miller” and “Busch” – they can’t demand ads removed just to fit their sponsors.

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Sep 18, 2008 1:17 AM CDT up 0 recs

I couldn't imagine a Bud deal

Ending in the middle of a season. Especially when they put a new design up there for this season. I can only imagine they are planning to unveil something for the Postseason. But who knows?

The day we lose our will to fight - Is the day we lose our Freedom.

by sanantonecub on Sep 18, 2008 1:15 AM CDT 0 recs

Plausible.

n/t

DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?

Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.

by EJThunder on Sep 18, 2008 1:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

Could be

something like “NL Central Champions”, and they are just waiting for the moment. It would be great PR if the Cubs clinched at home, and on the final out the tarps slid down with the new language.

by TC Cubby on Sep 18, 2008 8:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

That house has been sold for $8.5 million.

The buyer is the same guy who owns the two new rooftop buildings on Sheffield (the ones nearest the RF foul line).

Beyond that, I have no idea why the ad was covered last night.

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

by Al on Sep 18, 2008 8:28 AM CDT 0 recs

Walgreens?

Heard a credible rumor that Walgreen’s has bucked up for the “ad”, and they need to do some rehab – take out the peak in the roof to fit their new ad on it. But I thought it wasn’t until next year.

by gp1966 on Sep 18, 2008 8:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

If Chicago is anything like Orlando...

a Walgreens on one corner means there will be a CVS pharmacy on an adjacent corner within weeks.

FIrst the TORCO sign and now this… what is the world coming to?

by hokie316 on Sep 18, 2008 8:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ahh...

I never thought I would miss the sparkly TORCO sign.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 18, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

It's not a Walgreens STORE...

… that’s what I thought at first, too. It might be a Walgreen’s AD.

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

by Al on Sep 18, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

Source?

Has that been published somewhere or did someone tell you that?

It seems high. Unless, of course, the Budweiser house is going to be coming down.

by Leon Durham on Sep 18, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up 0 recs

That was published

There was a Crains story about the sale a few months ago. The Walgreen’s ad (yes, only an ad not a store) was from another source, and they allegedly will pay much more than Bud did.

by gp1966 on Sep 18, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

if i remember correctly

Bud pays somewhere around $500k/year for the advertising

now that the house has been sold, i believe the new owner plans on tearing it down and putting up condos…….sad

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 18, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up 0 recs

It will almost assuredly be a condo/rooftop place

They’ll be able to print money from that vantage point.

We were talking yesterday about rehabs to Wrigley- and this is yet another reason that Wrigley will never move. Imagine the reaction of all the rooftop owners if Wrigley were to go. The answer- chaos.

I will miss that old building and the Budweiser sign, but if I had $8m to throw around, I’d probably put a condo/rooftop there, as well.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Sep 18, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up 0 recs

Do the Cubs have contracts with the rooftop owners?

If not, they’d probably have no claim.

by Spartan1979 on Sep 18, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Just looked it up

Sold in June for $8.35 milion. Wow.

by Leon Durham on Sep 18, 2008 8:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Where did you find it...

I have been looking for something about the house and I could not find anything

Kasey

See my Pictures of the 2008 Cubs at http://ignarski.tripod.com/cub-pics-2008.html
Also, see the Cubs 2008 schedule with game results and TV schedule at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html

by kaseyi on Sep 18, 2008 8:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Tribune's real estate sales page

http://chicagotribune.public-record.com/realestate/results

i did a search in the 60613 zip code for building sold in the last 6 months that were between 5 and 10 million.

by Leon Durham on Sep 19, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

I hung out with that guy...

I think his name was Tom – last time I was back in town for the Astros series earlier this year. Surreal, weird experience.

by thegangler on Sep 18, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

I blame InBev.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Sep 18, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe the Miller Highlife guy came

and took away their beer….

Cubs Win!! Cubs Win!

by Ihatethecards on Sep 18, 2008 8:46 AM CDT 0 recs

Maybe it was Duff Man

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Sep 18, 2008 8:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

"Y'all MUST be CRAZY!"

DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?

Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.

by EJThunder on Sep 18, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

A big damned conspiracy!

They put a tarp on it so people would talk about it and long for the days when a Budweiser ad was on a roof on Sheffield. Free word of mouth advertising! It’s working!

Will someone pass me another Bud Light?

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Sep 18, 2008 8:57 AM CDT 0 recs

Ooooo

Devious thinking! Might be something to it….

Why am I craving Beechwood and thinking about hoofs?

"[Lou Piniella] might be over 100, but he still has a lot of fire in him." - Ted Lilly, Sept. 10, 2008

by CaughtInTheVines on Sep 18, 2008 9:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

They are most likely just switching it to a giant InBev logo

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #5 3-0 (0-0). Next up Saturday home vs. Buffalo. Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin for Co-Heisman!

by nji232 on Sep 18, 2008 9:26 AM CDT 0 recs

…..it should be coming back home to Old Style…a Wrigley Field and Cubs fan tradition…

by salukipete on Sep 18, 2008 9:53 AM CDT 0 recs

maybe Bud is secretly going to have a tribute to Big Z

when he pitches tomorrow….talk about a good marketing plan

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Sep 18, 2008 10:34 AM CDT 0 recs

"Big Z, this Bud's for you"

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 18, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe it's one of those "And now... the ability to...." advertisements.

“And now… the ability to win the World Series”?

DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?

Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.

by EJThunder on Sep 18, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

I doubt this happened but

I remember from the Wrigley Field tour is that the advertising on the roof is tied to the roof because if Budweiser decides not to pay him, he just rolls it up and waits for his check.

"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth

by TkGoUWGB on Sep 18, 2008 11:02 AM CDT 0 recs

Smart guy, but...

…I hate most Bud products, so I won’t mind if it goes away. There’s only one Bud team in the league, and that team resides about 5 hours S/SW of here. – TK

by timlacy on Sep 18, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Here's the scoop

Courtesy of the Sun Times

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1171980,091808roof.article

by giddyup on Sep 18, 2008 3:07 PM CDT 0 recs

Please...

anything but a Viagra advertisement….

DeRosa: And who is the best and who is the worst card player?

Dempster: I think the best is yourself. [ . . .] I think the worst player is D-Lee. I think he bets every time just to bet.

by EJThunder on Sep 18, 2008 3:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

There's more to this than what's in that article.

Gramatis really is an ass. First he tries to get more $ out of the Cubs for his rooftops on Sheffield — now he’s trying to weasel out of a deal with Budweiser.

The scoop I heard is that some of Gramatis’ financing fell through and he’s trying to squeeze more money out of Budweiser. If they have a contract, they’ll win any legal battle.

Like I said, Gramatis is a real ass. I wouldn’t ever enter into a contract with him, because he appears to not care about contract terms at all. Stay tuned, there’s likely more to it than this.

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

by Al on Sep 18, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sure works with the fact...

that every time I walk by that house and the residents are in the backyard….they are real buttheads.

Plus….I thought I read the contract with Bud rant out Sept. 6? With all due respect (and dont get me wrong I agree he is an ass) whatever he does or says at this point will make he look like an ass. He is going to make BANK with that roof.

Oddly….IMO, the crappy old house is worth more is yearly $ for the banner than it would be to run a business out of it.

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

by Hammer on Sep 18, 2008 7:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Oh, no doubt.

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

by Al on Sep 18, 2008 8:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yep.

It is my legal opinion that if Gramatis caused the payments to be late by witholding information from Anheuser-Busch that was essential to make the payments and related withholdings, he can’t accuse Anheuser-Busch from violating the terms of the contract. Thus, he cant terminate the contract for cause. In other words, he can’t complain for an alleged contractual non-compliance that he provoked himself.

So, the relevant legal question here is whether Anheuser-Busch really needed the information from Gramatis that the newspaper mentioned, in order to make the payments.

by Fraggin Judge on Sep 19, 2008 12:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

I am not a lawyer...

… but it sure sounds like you’re right. Today’s Tribune reported that Gramatis’ lawyer faxed an invoice to A-B that had NO contact information on it, as if they were trying to cover their “we sent you an invoice” base without providing the information that they needed to actually make a payment.

Gramatis really is an ass.

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

by Al on Sep 19, 2008 8:23 AM CDT up 0 recs

AB needs his Social Security Number

or Federal ID so they can send him a 1099 at year end. Standard business practice, especially for the amounts involved.

by Spartan1979 on Sep 19, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

Gramatis is being rumored to do a teardown and rebuild on his new property

That is a very lucrative piece of property regardless if he paid $8.5 million for something he tears down and spends another $10 million plus rebuilding.

This isn't 1969...is this 1969?...this isn't 1969, is it?

by MDBNIU on Sep 18, 2008 5:31 PM CDT 0 recs

He didnt spend a dollar on that house

….every cent he paid for that house is for the 50×60 or so lot it sits on. The house is worth nothing.

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

by Hammer on Sep 18, 2008 6:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

BTW....10 million to rebuild a house?

Was Kobe just traded to the Bulls?

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

by Hammer on Sep 18, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

Is that so easy as it sounds?

I don’t know about that particular spot and the applicable laws in Wrigleyville, but I’d think there would be some strict regulations the owner would have to follow. Also, he would have to lease that roof for advertising short term only, so the signs would come down by the time construction is set to begin.

by Fraggin Judge on Sep 19, 2008 12:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

Your Honor..

it’s my understanding that Chicago alderpersons have virtual veto power over all construction projects in their ward, and while I couldn’t tell you whether or not across the street is part of the ‘historical designation’, I would guess the last thing anyone would want is someone putting up a 20-story condo project/rooftop-luxury box monstrocity that would significantly alter the immediate ‘skyline’ views from the park. You don’t want something hokey looking like that gimmick down the left field line at Petco in San Diego here.

Of course, if the new building owner has enough clout and/or cash… this is still Chicago ; )

by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Sep 19, 2008 8:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

I liked the WGN version better any way

Too bad that can’t come back but like always money talks, bullshit walks.

If I had to guess, he’d probably be better off getting the best offer for an advertisement than to have to re-build, especially if financing is an issue changing an ad is much easier to accomplish with no capital.

If he rebuilds it’d be interesting to see if he has any “issues” getting the zoning variance required to build higher up. With Bernie out of the picture and Murph pushing up daisies it wouldn’t be as easy as in the past.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Sep 19, 2008 6:13 AM CDT 0 recs