11-23-2009, 11:12 AM
Cubs make bold move -- to block rooftop casino ad
From Paul Sullivan
Link
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The Cubs have fired the opening salvo in a dispute against a local casino, erecting two signboards in the back of the left-field bleachers, which would obscure a prominent casino ad in most television shots during game telecasts.
The two large green wooden signboards were erected in the bleachers last week without fanfare. There currently is no advertising on them, but they're expected to be ready for the 2010 season.
"The signage is in place as we evaluate marketing opportunities," Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said. "Given our partnerships and agreements with the other rooftops, that particular location in the bleachers would work out."
A likely sponsor is Bud Light, which bought naming rights to the bleachers during the reconstruction project prior to the 2006 season. The only building directly affected by the sign is the one at the corner of Sheffield and Kenmore Avenues, commonly referred to as the "Budweiser building" after the beer company that advertised on its roof for years.
Rooftop owner Tom Gramatis bought the building for $8.4 million in June 2008 and placed a brown tarp over the Budweiser sign shortly before the 2008 playoffs, claiming Anheuser-Busch was late with its payment. A Cook County judge later ordered the removal of the tarp before the playoffs, but Gramatis eventually sold the rights to the Horseshoe Casino.
While the Cubs weren't happy with the Horseshoe ad, there was nothing they could do to prevent it from dominating the left-center-field vista of Wrigley Field. But new chairman Tom Ricketts decided it was time to take action, blocking out the building during Cubs telecasts and having their own sponsor in its place.
Upon taking over the Cubs, Ricketts pointed to Boston's revamping of Fenway Park, which included more ad signage in the ballpark.
"There are things that make Wrigley different from Fenway that we have to be respectful of," he told the Tribune. "And I think the key is, we definitely see what they've accomplished and we'd like to emulate some of that success."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
From Paul Sullivan
Link
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The Cubs have fired the opening salvo in a dispute against a local casino, erecting two signboards in the back of the left-field bleachers, which would obscure a prominent casino ad in most television shots during game telecasts.
The two large green wooden signboards were erected in the bleachers last week without fanfare. There currently is no advertising on them, but they're expected to be ready for the 2010 season.
"The signage is in place as we evaluate marketing opportunities," Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said. "Given our partnerships and agreements with the other rooftops, that particular location in the bleachers would work out."
A likely sponsor is Bud Light, which bought naming rights to the bleachers during the reconstruction project prior to the 2006 season. The only building directly affected by the sign is the one at the corner of Sheffield and Kenmore Avenues, commonly referred to as the "Budweiser building" after the beer company that advertised on its roof for years.
Rooftop owner Tom Gramatis bought the building for $8.4 million in June 2008 and placed a brown tarp over the Budweiser sign shortly before the 2008 playoffs, claiming Anheuser-Busch was late with its payment. A Cook County judge later ordered the removal of the tarp before the playoffs, but Gramatis eventually sold the rights to the Horseshoe Casino.
While the Cubs weren't happy with the Horseshoe ad, there was nothing they could do to prevent it from dominating the left-center-field vista of Wrigley Field. But new chairman Tom Ricketts decided it was time to take action, blocking out the building during Cubs telecasts and having their own sponsor in its place.
Upon taking over the Cubs, Ricketts pointed to Boston's revamping of Fenway Park, which included more ad signage in the ballpark.
"There are things that make Wrigley different from Fenway that we have to be respectful of," he told the Tribune. "And I think the key is, we definitely see what they've accomplished and we'd like to emulate some of that success."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->