A half-billion dollar deal on the Wrigley Field renovations has been reached! And the Wrigleyville rooftops have responded.
Early in this young MLB season, the talk hasn’t been about baseball but business negotiations surrounding Wrigley Field instead. And it’s easy to understand why, most experts have the Chicago Cubs projected to lose 90+ games this season. So the ballpark seems more interesting than the results of the 2013 season.
There is a huge public relations battle being fought right now between the Wrigleyville rooftop owners and the Chicago Cubs. In their last press release, the rooftops association looked desperate and defensive.
This statement from on the rooftops response to the Wrigley Field renovations was more cooperative and peaceful.
Reports this morning indicate that a framework has been reached for the Chicago Cubs to submit plans to the City of Chicago for renovating Wrigley Field.
As an organizational partner, we echo the sentiment of all parties involved for our desire that the Cubs play baseball in a modernized Wrigley Field as soon as possible. The players and fans deserve the modern amenities that numerous other Major League Baseball teams have had for years and we are pleased that process will begin. The Wrigleyville Rooftops Association will play an active role in the community process to approve the planned development or any changes to the Landmark Ordinance.
“We are pleased the Chicago Cubs will participate in a community process to flesh out these details more in-depth. However, no community process, city ordinance, or agreement without our consent can or should dismiss contractual rights granted to us by the Chicago Cubs in 2004. Rooftop owners reserve the right to use any and all means necessary to enforce the remaining 11 years of our 20-year contract. We, as well as every interested party in the Lakeview neighborhood, will study the plans submitted to the City of Chicago and play a constructive role in moving forward.” -Wrigleyville Rooftops Association
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on Comcast SportsNet and the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks)