Tom Ricketts threatens to take his toys and go home

[marmar]

The owner of one of the most profitable teams in Major League Baseball threatened to walk away from one of MLB's most profitable venues if the city didn't approve a $300-million renovation plan for Wrigley Field.

The Cubs have floated a renovation plan for Wrigley Field that would expand concourses, expand the ballpark footprint, build a new hotel across Clark, construct a new parking ramp in the area, and add video signage to the outfield wall. The city, in the form of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, has already agreed with the Cubs on the broad terms of the deal, which still must receive approval from other city departments. The main opposition: owners of rooftop bleachers, who have a revenue-sharing deal with the Cubs, though so far their opposition has been muted, with Ald. Tom Tunney -- normally an advocate for the rooftop owners -- participating in discussions with Emanuel and the team.

Today Tom Ricketts, part of the Ricketts family ownership of the Cubs, answered a question about the team's future in a rather surprising way: after weeks of good publicity and a deal with the city, he threatened to move the team if approvals weren't ultimately granted. .....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://ballparkdigest.com/201305016240/major-league-baseball/features/ricketts-brings-hammer-down-threatens-cubs-move

[trumad]

1. MLB would never let it happen.

[madinmaryland]

2. And where the hell does he think he can take them??

Mexico City??

[ProfessorGAC]

3. He's Likely Talking About The 'Burbs

There are four or five big suburbs here that would make the space available in a heartbeat.

And, they'd find a way to get state money through an economic incentive program out to the northwest.

It's not like this improvement isn't needed. That place is turning into a pit. It's not quite as romantic and glamorous as its reputation.

Used to be. But, parts of it are falling apart right now. The place was built in 1914.
GAC

[GoCubsGo]

4. The mayor of Rosemont made a big offer a month or so ago.

They're nuts if they move there. It's right next to O'Hare. I can't see the fans (or the players) tolerating all the jets flying right over them every five seconds.

I knew the Ricketts would be trouble before they even got permission to buy the team. The assholes claimed they'd never move the team. Lying sack of shit republicans.