06-29-2009, 11:05 AM
<!--quoteo(post=46947:date=Jun 29 2009, 09:50 AM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Jun 29 2009, 09:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=46946:date=Jun 29 2009, 09:47 AM:name=cherp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cherp @ Jun 29 2009, 09:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=46913:date=Jun 29 2009, 08:08 AM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Jun 29 2009, 08:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Not to mention, the whole "Wrigley is the reason the Cubs draw so well" argument falls apart when you see Cubs fans fill all of the opposing teams' stadiums.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Chicagoans are all over the country. It's not a surprise that we put a lot of people in seats in other parks.
I don't know for sure Butch...Do you think this team would draw 3mm+ if the park were in Schaumburg or Arlington Heights? Would we still see people come without the neighborhood/bars?
The first few years would sell every ticket and then some. The die hards would always come for sure. But how long would that hold? I just don't know.
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It isn't a fair question, though. Because there would be a HUGE backlash if the Cubs were moved to some random suburb outside of Chicago. It would piss off a whole lot of die-hard Cubs fans, including myself.
The fair question would be is, "If Wrigley was torn down and a new stadium built in its place (or close by), would the Cubs still draw 3mm+ every season?"
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I don't think there is any doubt. If they stayed where they are, and built a nice new palace, that they'd draw. But Wrigley Field is more than just the history, the park and the bricks and ivy. It is the location. I think you could take the building that currently sits at 35th and Shields and move it to Clark and Addision, and 3.3mm Cubs fans would pack it to see the boys in blue and to then enjoy the neighborhood's environment.
I don't believe that people come just to see a Marquee, ivy, a statue, etc... I do, however, believe that if they vacate the neighborhood, that would be a different story. I just have no evidence to prove that one.
Chicagoans are all over the country. It's not a surprise that we put a lot of people in seats in other parks.
I don't know for sure Butch...Do you think this team would draw 3mm+ if the park were in Schaumburg or Arlington Heights? Would we still see people come without the neighborhood/bars?
The first few years would sell every ticket and then some. The die hards would always come for sure. But how long would that hold? I just don't know.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It isn't a fair question, though. Because there would be a HUGE backlash if the Cubs were moved to some random suburb outside of Chicago. It would piss off a whole lot of die-hard Cubs fans, including myself.
The fair question would be is, "If Wrigley was torn down and a new stadium built in its place (or close by), would the Cubs still draw 3mm+ every season?"
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't think there is any doubt. If they stayed where they are, and built a nice new palace, that they'd draw. But Wrigley Field is more than just the history, the park and the bricks and ivy. It is the location. I think you could take the building that currently sits at 35th and Shields and move it to Clark and Addision, and 3.3mm Cubs fans would pack it to see the boys in blue and to then enjoy the neighborhood's environment.
I don't believe that people come just to see a Marquee, ivy, a statue, etc... I do, however, believe that if they vacate the neighborhood, that would be a different story. I just have no evidence to prove that one.