There have been lots of talk around here on sports radio and local news about the possibility of selling the naming rights for Wrigley Field. Yes, I found it very hard to believe at first, too. But, it’s hardly an issue of “what if” much longer. The Chicago Cubs along with Wrigley Field are owned by the Chicago Tribune. And Sam Zell, chief executive owner of the Tribune Co., is ready sell the ballpark’s name to any corporation that can put up the money, and end the days of free advertising for the chewing gum company.
I’ve heard of suggestions that whoever purchases the naming rights should at least include Wrigley Field in the title, for example “Best Buy presents Wrigley Field”. Of course, what company is willing to share the name with another, even if it is an American icon. On sports radio, I’ve heard a number of Cubs fans that don’t care what the stadium is called as long as it brings more money to the ball team and gets them to the World Series. Still, I wonder what would be the consequences to Chicago tourism be since the park has got to be one of the top summer travel spots in city. Also, I wonder how much the renaming of Wrigley Field angers those outside of Chicago? Any thoughts?
More about this story can be read from the following articles in the Tribune, “Selling Wrigley Field naming rights OK with Sam Zell”, and the Sun-Times, “Cubdom must rally against The Evil Zell”.
– And speaking of Wrigley Field, the ball park is #30 of Stuff White People Like. Hilarious!
I hate to be profane, but I’m guessing most of your readers can take it. This debacle is bullshit and a slight on Cubs fans, which I am not, but Holy Cow. Harry Cary is rolling around in his grave….
Comment by brian — February 28, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
I do think it’s funny when Cubs fans make fun of the name of the Sox stadium, U.S. Cellular (or The Cell, as it is referred to by some Sox fans). Sure, it is a horrible name from a corporation. There’s no denying that. To begin with, it’s a cell phone provider which just seems risky seeing as soon or later it will be bought out by a competitor. However, the fact is that stadium is named after corporation just like Wrigley Field. The difference is that the Wrigley Co. isn’t paying a dime for the naming rights. Sam Zell is a business man, so you can bet it doesn’t sit well with him that one company is getting something for free for what he is looking to sell to another for $400 million or more.
Still, I wonder how much revenue a company earns from naming a stadium. Think about it, how many people decide to purchase Wrigley gum because of the name of the Cubs’ ball park? Heck, I wonder how many actually associate the gum company with the name Wrigley Field. I sure am not going to switch cellphone carriers because the Sox’s stadium is U.S. Cellular Field. However, I suppose you can’t deny the exposure a company gets every time the stadium’s name is mentioned during a television broadcast.
Another point, remember when the Grizzlies came to Memphis and FedEx wanted them to be called The Express! Luckily, the NBA said no to this idea. But it does seem like it’s the next logical step. Heck, in Europe football, the players wear advertisements on their jerseys that are larger than their team’s logo.
With all that being said, I should point out that I am not for the renaming of Wrigley Field. It’s not only a Chicago icon but an American one. Heck, a world icon as Sam Zell said. Can you imagine trying to also rename Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park or Dodger Stadium or even Shea Stadium? I’m sure it was a sad day in Chicago when after 80 years of play, Comiskey Park was torn down to make way for U.S. Cellular Field. And who can honestly say that they prefer U.S. Cellular Field to Comiskey? Unlike Wrigley Field, though, these were two different stadiums. So the question is how important is a name?
Or better yet, is it possible to live in a world where we all don’t worship the all mighty dollar, and everything and anyone is not for sale? Just asking…
Interesting note, Wrigley Field has not always been named after the gum company. It was originally called Weegham Park and later Cubs Park. It didn’t turn into Wrigley Field until 10 years after its completion, ninety-four years ago.
Comment by Hayden — February 28, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
Oh, by the way, thanks for your comment Brian.
Comment by Hayden — February 28, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
http://www.savewrigleysname.com/
on second thought, maybe they will win a series if they have a name change! LOL….
As far as ballpark moves are concerned? When the Astros moved from the Astrodome (http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/astrod.htm)
to “Enron”, err Minute Maid Park, it was a nice new atmosphere, but a bit of 60’s nostalgia was lost on Houstonians and Astro fans…I’ve been to a few games at Minute Maid, but prefer the old, COLD, and smelly Astrodome any day.
Comment by brian — February 29, 2008 @ 11:43 am
If you listen to some Cubs fans, there is actually some dislike of Wrigley Field. Here’s a quote from a message board that pretty much sums up some of the complaints I hear on the local sports radio station:
“I almost wish they would tear down wrigley field and build a new, ugly ball park so I don’t have to deal with all this nonsense that comes with being a cubs fan. I’m a much bigger cubs fans than a wrigley fan. don’t get me wrong. I love wrigley. but there’s just too much baggage and crap that comes with wrigley nowadays. ticket prices. stupid bleacher party goers. outrageous parking costs. there’s too many wrigley field fans and not enough cubs fans going to cubs games. white sox fans don’t know how easy they got it.”
BTW, great photos of the Astrodome! But why was the Astrodome so cold?
Comment by Hayden — February 29, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
I don’t know, but they put A/C units in there that would freeze Eskimos out. You could go in there mid-August and come out with icicles on your nose…..
Comment by brian — February 29, 2008 @ 5:26 pm