Who was this man Sam Zell and why were we so happy that the Tribune Company finally gave us our beloved cubs back? The faceless New World Order Tribune Company was finally defeated by one man: a man of the people.
I think we, as Cub fans, were so happy to get rid of the Tribune Company and all of their little idosyncracies that we didnt care if Fidel Castro became the next Cubs owner, High Chief, High Priest, or whatever his actual title is.
But, Cub fans, what did we get instead? Sure, we got a few new free agent signings. And ya know what? That's great, sincerely.
But this guy who we were so happy to get in there and change both the face and the luck of the Cubs—psst get closer—is (whisper) not a Cubs fan.
He doesn't care one little bit about the Cubs. Wait, let me rephrase myself, he cares about money. He could care less about the fans unless they are paying ridiculous amounts of money to get in the stadium. Speaking of which, ticket prices were raised once again.
"Wrigley is an obvious world-wide icon and Wrigley Field is world-wide known. But, in the world of economics, when I bought the Tribune, I didn't get a discount because I wasn't going to use the naming rights that field represents," said Scrooge McZell during an interview on the CNBC program Squawk Box.
Another quote from Zell during the interview included the following:
"Excuse me for being sarcastic, but the idea of a debate occurring over what I should do with my asset leaves me somewhat questioning the integrity of the debate... I have no problem renaming Wrigley. Maybe the Wrigley Company should start paying for some of this advertising. I think they have had it free for long enough."
Now I understand that it might be better for the team to sell the naming rights and get some extra cash, however, the money will not go to the team; It will go in Zell's pocket.
A lot of people will say, "Who cares that the name will change? It will be the same field, same place, same atmosphere." I, along with probably thousands upon thousands of other great baseball fans, do care at having Wrigley changed and renovated into a futuristic model of a field.
When I take my kids to Wrigley, like my father used to take me, I want to be able to say: "This field is one of the oldest, one of the best there is, and that there ever will be. This is Wrigley Field, son."
I understand, fully, how business world works. You have a product, you sell it to the best of your ability, and that equals cash. But Ol' Fidel Zell must realize this is no ordinary company.
He has the weight of an entire city on his shoulders and yet, he just shrugs it off with no thought.
People live and die this stuff. They watch, listen, and read the articles every morning hoping the Cubs win. A whole day can go sour with a Cubs loss. I just want an owner who cares about this team. Who is a fan. Who wants to win as bad as I do. Everyday.
Until we can get someone who truly cares about this team as a team and not just as another asset, vive la resistance!!!
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7 months ago
Given the significance of Wrigley Field, and the perseverance and tenacity of Cubs fans, do you honestly believe that a name change to the field will stick? I understand this changes all of the marketing and branding around the field, but I have a hard time believing that Cubs fans will accept such a drastic change and will continue to call it Wrigley Field. A part of me wants to believe that a name change would generate such a stink and backlash from the fans that not only would it deter the name change, but it would result in a lot of negative publicity to the new namesake.
7 months ago
Yo Robin,
The fans don't have a say in the owner's decision on naming rights. That's why it's cool to own a Major League Baseball team - you can do whatever you want.
People are not going to stop going to Cubs games just because they change the name of the ballpark. You could paint the field yellow and field a AAA level team full of 40 year olds and they'd still pack in 30,000+ per day. Location, location, location.
7 months ago
I suppose I should explain myself better. I'm not suggesting that fans would have any say in a name change - I'm painfully aware that they don't, nor do I think that would prevent them from attending games. I agree with your statement. What I am saying is that even if it were to be renamed "McDonald's Ballpark", are people really going to call it that? I think that both out of habit and reverence to history that they're going to continue to call it Wrigley Field, even if that's no longer it's official name.
I am also suggesting that zealous fans can take action even without having the ultimate say in a name change. There could be an impact on the bottom line, if, for example dedicated fans refuse to purchase any merchandise with the new stadium branding or organize a boycott of the new namesake's company. Do I honestly believe that could happen? No, and even if it did happen, the impact would probably be pretty minimal. That being said, major corporations have pulled out of sponsorship relationships in the past, so it's not entirely out of the question....just extremely unlikely.
7 months ago
Sam Zell is a White Sox fan and appears to be fulfilling every Sox fan's deepest, darkest desires.
No longer will Cubs fans be able to call it "Sell Your Soul" Field because they'll be playing at beautiful AT&T Park.
7 months ago
Actually fans can do something.
Some cubs fans have set up a petition where you can pledge to boycott the products/services of any company that is compelled to buy the naming rights.
You can sign here:
http://www.savewrigleysname.com
7 months ago
How about "Weeghman Park"? Oh that's right it was used before
4 months ago
Do any of you know what this man is doing to the people in Modesto , Ca? He has caused people to burn down there mobile homes and go to jail, caused elderly people to give him there mobile homes because he pushed the park rents up from 400.00 a month to 800.00 a month. Try thinking of you mother living on social security (1100.00 a month) and paying Zell 800.00 of that for lot rent. That leaves them 300.00 to pay utilities, buy food, gas, medicine and other necessities. The value of their homes have dropped to nothing. There are even rumors of people committing suicide. Mr Zell are you a Christian? Do you know that when you die you will leave this world naked? Do the right thing and drop the rents back to 400.00. You already have enough money! Then God may Forgive you if you start changing now!
4 months ago
Sam Zell is an evil human being who cares about nothing but the cold, hard cash. This man needs to be stopped and step aside for Mark Cuban to buy the team. Take that Reinsdorf.
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