CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
The Cubs season may be long over, but the political games around Wrigley Field are heating up.
Alderman Tom Tunney is floating an idea to allow advertising on the rooftops across the street from the friendly confines as a way to generate revenues for a stadium make-over. But some Cubs fans say that's sacrilege.
The Cubs have been trying for years to put together a deal that would allow them to renovate 98-year-old Wrigley Field. Part of that plan includes more advertising. But, Alderman Tom Tunney says it would be better to put that advertising on the rooftops, as to not block anyone's view.
Some fans say that after 104 years of futility, they don't care how the cubs do it.
"I don't care how they make their money," says one woman. "Put ads up. That's okay. Maybe we'll get some better players and a team we can be proud of."
But, it's where those ads will be placed that's in dispute. Alderman Tom Tunney tells the Sun-Times that he trying to broker a deal that would put the ads on rooftop businesses across the street so nobody's view from the rooftops is blocked. The problem is that the rooftop owners would like a cut of the profits and the Cubs believe they're getting too much already.
Some fans say more billboards on the rooftops would be like putting bumper stickers on the Mona Lisa.
"A lot of people consider that a historic place and it's also advertised as a historic place," one fan says.
"I think it's terrible," comments another fan. "It completely ruins the character of the ballpark number one. And number two, the rooftop owners have been stealing the product of the Cubs for I don't know how many years."
Years ago, the rooftops were just that--a place where a handful of tenants could put up a folding chair and watch the game. Today, it's big business. More than $20 million a year in revenue is generated, with the Cubs getting a 17% cut.
The 17 rooftop clubs have spent millions to meet city code and Alderman Tunney says it wouldn't be fair to block their view. Of course in 2012, that view wasn't very pretty.
"I think the team needs to be better," a woman tells Fox Chicago. "Then they'll start making a little bit of money."
The one thing all sides agree on is that nothing will happen regarding the renovation until we get past the upcoming election. Then, watch for talks between the Cubs, the community, the Alderman, and the mayor to heat up.
