Cubs Official Release and Drawings on Bleacher Expansion

Things don't happen very fast in Chicago. George Halas started talking about a new stadium in the mid-60's. Papa Bear had been gone nearly 20 years when the Bears opened the New Soldiers Field in 2003. So the Cubs got this bleacher expansion deal done pretty fast. Half a decade ain't that bad when you consider all of the back tavern deals you have to make, to get something done in this town.

We have been talking about the Bleacher Expansion for so long that it has become an old story. On Thursday the Cubs released a press release and some new drawings of the bleachers and Wrigley Campus. My view has always been if it generates more revenue that will be put back into the club...it is good for the team. Many may disagree with this and I understand and appreciate your position. I love Wrigley Field and all of the nostalgia. I really hope that these additions will set the stage for long term on the field success for the Northsiders.

There's a good article on the windfall the Cubs will receive on Chicagosports.com. In this article sports consultant Marc Ganis says they Cubs additional revenue will be less than one would think:

The Cubs "historically have been one of the slowest clubs in adopting new
revenue-stream opportunities in the ballpark," said Ganis, president of
Sportscorp Ltd. "What they are doing now is playing a game of catch-up."

Marc, this team played only day baseball until 1988. Anyways, Ganis estimates that the Cubs will only net 40-45 cents from every new dollar generated from the improvements.

Here's the Official Release.

Here are the latest drawings of the changes.



The Cubs will have a meeting with the community on March 8, 2005. We'll let you know what happens at the meeting.

At HoHoKam



The Cubs moved their Cactus League record to 2-0. They roughed up Felipe Alou's Giants 8-3. Nomar(above in 1st inn.) and Dave Hansen(in 6th inn.) hit HR's.