Is it time to tear down Wrigley?

[Balta1701]

Moving to the burbs would be a disaster for the fan bases of either team, but even more so for the Cubs.

Out of curiosity, if hypothetically the Sox moved outside the city limits to somewhere in the Southern Suburbs, brand new stadium like 15 years down the road, why would that be a fan-base disaster?

[NorthSideSox72]

Out of curiosity, if hypothetically the Sox moved outside the city limits to somewhere in the Southern Suburbs, brand new stadium like 15 years down the road, why would that be a fan-base disaster?

Go to any weeknight game at The Cell. Huge portion of the crowd is people who worked during the day downtown - those people aren't trucking out to Orland Park, at least not nearly as often. And further, that business crowd is a big chunk of the suite/club/scout seat holders, where they make the big bucks. So that's problem number one.

 

Number two, moving to the south suburbs would be great for one area, and terrible for the other 80% of the Metro area, as far as getting in and out. They'd go a lot less often. The city is central, it can draw from all over much more easily, and its south of downtown so you already get big south suburban draw. You gain little, and lose a lot.

 

Third, you lose a significant chunk of the tourist crowd. I know its popular to point out the Cubs fan base being a bunch of people from Iowa, but fact is the Sox get some of those two. If the stadium is out there on the fringe, a lot fewer of those people will go.

 

[ScottyDo]

Out of curiosity, if hypothetically the Sox moved outside the city limits to somewhere in the Southern Suburbs, brand new stadium like 15 years down the road, why would that be a fan-base disaster?

My guess would be public transportation issues, though Metra could probably cover it, depending on where it went

[HuskyCaucasian]

Go to any weeknight game at The Cell. Huge portion of the crowd is people who worked during the day downtown - those people aren't trucking out to Orland Park, at least not nearly as often. And further, that business crowd is a big chunk of the suite/club/scout seat holders, where they make the big bucks. So that's problem number one.

 

Number two, moving to the south suburbs would be great for one area, and terrible for the other 80% of the Metro area, as far as getting in and out. They'd go a lot less often. The city is central, it can draw from all over much more easily, and its south of downtown so you already get big south suburban draw. You gain little, and lose a lot.

 

Third, you lose a significant chunk of the tourist crowd. I know its popular to point out the Cubs fan base being a bunch of people from Iowa, but fact is the Sox get some of those two. If the stadium is out there on the fringe, a lot fewer of those people will go.

The Sox need to move closer to the Loop, not further away from it.

[NorthSideSox72]

My guess would be public transportation issues, though Metra could probably cover it, depending on where it went

A long train ride, only reasonable from downtown or along that train line. Whereas in the city, its a short ride from downtown or the south burbs, and other burbs can still get there via downtown in fairly short time.

 

[ScottyDo]

A long train ride, only reasonable from downtown or along that train line. Whereas in the city, its a short ride from downtown or the south burbs, and other burbs can still get there via downtown in fairly short time.

Agreed. Even though I'm from Homewood, it would certainly not be the best idea to put it in the 'burbs.

[NorthSideSox72]

The Sox need to move closer to the Loop, not further away from it.

I think they don't need to move at all right now.

 

But if they did in the future, I'd agree with you that closer is better, though the same location really is fine - just point it NE instead of SE next time.

 

[HuskyCaucasian]

I think they don't need to move at all right now.

 

But if they did in the future, I'd agree with you that closer is better, though the same location really is fine - just point it NE instead of SE next time.

i 100% agree.

(Selfishly, i want them in AH or Schaumburg. lol)

[Iwritecode]

They would have to play their games at the Cell most likely.

 

They'd have to convince JR first.

[HuskyCaucasian]

They'd have to convince JR first.

I dont think he'd mind. Honestly, who cares?

[Balta1701]

I dont think he'd mind. Honestly, who cares?

Could wear down the facilities a bit, but there's a lot of potential revenue and marketing dollars there. Plus, doesn't he get a cut of the parking?

[HuskyCaucasian]

Could wear down the facilities a bit, but there's a lot of potential revenue and marketing dollars there. Plus, doesn't he get a cut of the parking?

make the cubs use the visiting locker room

[NorthSideSox72]

They'd have to convince JR first.

Doesn't matter, the Sox don't own the stadium. ISFA does, a state agency.

 

[LittleHurt05]

They would have to play their games at the Cell most likely.

 

Or possibly in Milwaukee. It's all Cubs fans when they play up there anyway.

[nitetrain8601]

Suburbs would not be good for the team and make them a redheaded step child of Chicago. I do think if they tore down and built a brand new stadium there, you would still have the fanbase occupying it as the allure is the neighborhood, bars, area and the Cubs as a team.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Suburbs would not be good for the team and make them a redheaded step child of Chicago. I do think if they tore down and built a brand new stadium there, you would still have the fanbase occupying it as the allure is the neighborhood, bars, area and the Cubs as a team.

While I've never believed that a team would fill it's fan base by moving to the suburbs, it should be noted that as best as I can tell only 1 team playes outside the city limits of the city they are linked to. And that is the Marlins who play in Miami Gardens. And, they are moving to Miami in 2012. The Rangers are technically outside both Dallas and Forte Worth, but they are right in between them.

Edited November 19, 2010 by Athomeboy_2000

[Iwritecode]

Doesn't matter, the Sox don't own the stadium. ISFA does, a state agency.

 

I know this has been discussed either here or at WSI but I think JR is on record as saying that he would not let the Cubs play at USCF.

 

Also, I believe the Sox own the parking lots.

[NorthSideSox72]

I know this has been discussed either here or at WSI but I think JR is on record as saying that he would not let the Cubs play at USCF.

 

Also, I believe the Sox own the parking lots.

Might be true about the lots, I don't know. But the Sox definitely do not own the stadium.

 

[Iwritecode]

From a 2008 interview

 

"We're all friends and friends try to help each other, but I still have to see what kind of proposal is put in front of me," Reinsdorf told Mike North on WSCR-AM 670.

[RockRaines]

I know alot of people are saying Schaumburg, but you would have to put a new stadium in Naperville, its the second largest city in the state. You could put it off of Rt 59 somewhere.

[bschmaranz]

I know alot of people are saying Schaumburg, but you would have to put a new stadium in Naperville, its the second largest city in the state. You could put it off of Rt 59 somewhere.

 

Also you need to consider, where in Schaumburg could they possibly build it?

[knightni]

Or possibly in Milwaukee. It's all Cubs fans when they play up there anyway.

The scheduling of that would be brutal.

 

The Sox and Cubs already alternate days on the schedule.

 

My concern is unruly Cubs fans tearing up the decor around the park.

[Balta1701]

My concern is unruly Cubs fans tearing up the decor around the park.

That'd make for a nice "Cub fans are pigs and idiots" story in the press if/when it happened.

[Iwritecode]

I know alot of people are saying Schaumburg, but you would have to put a new stadium in Naperville, its the second largest city in the state. You could put it off of Rt 59 somewhere.

 

Actually it's 4th behind Rockford and Aurora. Might even be behind Joliet too.

Edited November 22, 2010 by Iwritecode

[BigSqwert]