12-06-2009, 10:58 PM
from Cubs.com on facebook
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->12/4 Ticket prices, Spring Training, skating & more
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Fri at 4:31pm
The Cubs recognize these are tough economic times, so ticket prices for 2010 home games will essentially be flat for 50 percent of the seats. The "bronze" and "silver" level ticket prices will basically stay the same, while the "gold" tickets on average will increase about $2 and the "platinum" level will increase on average about $5.
"This isn't the year to go crazy on ticket price increases," Cubs president Crane Kenney said Friday. "The Ricketts [family] made it clear in their opening press conference that all of the profits in the business stay in the business."
Kenney addressed some other Cubs topics at Wrigley Field:
* SEASON TICKETS: Attention anyone on the waiting list: There's hope. Right now, there are about 120,000 people on the waiting list. The Cubs will have 700 new tickets available for 2010. Kenney said existing season ticket holders will be allowed to relocate to the now available locations if they chose. Stay tuned for more information on that.
* SPRING TRAINING: The Cubs should have an announcement in January about whether they will keep their Spring Training headquarters in Arizona or move to Florida for the 2012 season. The team has narrowed its list to two sites in Collier County near Naples, Fla., and two sites in Maricopa County, Ariz., including one linked to the Gila River Indian Reservation.
"The way we're sizing this up is we've had a great 50 years in Arizona and they've been great partners," Kenney said. "What [Cubs chairman] Tom [Ricketts] and the family is looking at is where should we spend the next 50 years."
Naples has become a very viable option, and the Cubs do recognize that travel will be an issue in Florida. The closest teams are in Fort Myers, where the Red Sox and Twins both train. Kenney said he is considering all factors, including the demographics of the two states, to determine the best place to make a sizable investment.
"From the attractiveness of the business offers, it's certainly even," Kenney said.
The Cubs aren't looking to build a smaller Wrigley Field, but replicate the Wrigley experience, he said. They want fans to be able to walk to the ballpark from their hotel and have restaurants, retail and golf nearby. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith has said he hopes the Cubs' long tradition in the city will count, and Kenney said it does mean something to the Ricketts family.
"The deciding factor will be training for the players," Kenney said. "Tom [Ricketts] has said at the end of the day, if it's a push on all other fronts, where we can train the players to perform the best is where we'll go."
* WRIGLEY FIELD: The Ricketts family took a tour of the ballpark from top to bottom, examining everything from the washrooms to the players' lounge to the scoreboard. There is currently some work being done to upgrade. Kenney said the family told him to "think long-term" in terms of improvements. Fans should notice better washroom facilities and concessions. Part of the process has been Kenney taste-testing hot dogs to find the best one.
The players should have a better weight room when they report in 2010. The umpires' dressing room is being relocated. The back of the scoreboard is being repaired and updated. There are no plans for a video scoreboard, but the team is looking into having replays and stats available for fans at the ballpark to use on their iPhones and other hand-held devices.
The team is negotiating with businesses to find a sponsor for the billboards projected for left field. Kenney said the goal is to preserve the culture of Wrigley Field but also bring in revenue.
The team hopes to create a club on the mezzanine level where Suites 1-6 are currently located. About 80 tickets will be available for that location, and fans will have access to their own concessions and a bar. The tickets will be sold as season tickets. Expect an announcement sometime after Christmas.
* TRIANGLE BUILDING: The Cubs are interviewing architects and engineers to get the project going. The building, which will be located on Clark Street, west of Wrigley Field, could house offices, a restaurant and retail options.
* ICE RINK: The Cubs are building an ice rink in the parking lot west of Wrigley Field which will be open this winter. More details to come. It's being done in conjunction with the Chicago Park District, and because of the interest created by the NHL Winter Classic played at Wrigley on Jan. 1.
-- Carrie Muskat<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->12/4 Ticket prices, Spring Training, skating & more
Share
Fri at 4:31pm
The Cubs recognize these are tough economic times, so ticket prices for 2010 home games will essentially be flat for 50 percent of the seats. The "bronze" and "silver" level ticket prices will basically stay the same, while the "gold" tickets on average will increase about $2 and the "platinum" level will increase on average about $5.
"This isn't the year to go crazy on ticket price increases," Cubs president Crane Kenney said Friday. "The Ricketts [family] made it clear in their opening press conference that all of the profits in the business stay in the business."
Kenney addressed some other Cubs topics at Wrigley Field:
* SEASON TICKETS: Attention anyone on the waiting list: There's hope. Right now, there are about 120,000 people on the waiting list. The Cubs will have 700 new tickets available for 2010. Kenney said existing season ticket holders will be allowed to relocate to the now available locations if they chose. Stay tuned for more information on that.
* SPRING TRAINING: The Cubs should have an announcement in January about whether they will keep their Spring Training headquarters in Arizona or move to Florida for the 2012 season. The team has narrowed its list to two sites in Collier County near Naples, Fla., and two sites in Maricopa County, Ariz., including one linked to the Gila River Indian Reservation.
"The way we're sizing this up is we've had a great 50 years in Arizona and they've been great partners," Kenney said. "What [Cubs chairman] Tom [Ricketts] and the family is looking at is where should we spend the next 50 years."
Naples has become a very viable option, and the Cubs do recognize that travel will be an issue in Florida. The closest teams are in Fort Myers, where the Red Sox and Twins both train. Kenney said he is considering all factors, including the demographics of the two states, to determine the best place to make a sizable investment.
"From the attractiveness of the business offers, it's certainly even," Kenney said.
The Cubs aren't looking to build a smaller Wrigley Field, but replicate the Wrigley experience, he said. They want fans to be able to walk to the ballpark from their hotel and have restaurants, retail and golf nearby. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith has said he hopes the Cubs' long tradition in the city will count, and Kenney said it does mean something to the Ricketts family.
"The deciding factor will be training for the players," Kenney said. "Tom [Ricketts] has said at the end of the day, if it's a push on all other fronts, where we can train the players to perform the best is where we'll go."
* WRIGLEY FIELD: The Ricketts family took a tour of the ballpark from top to bottom, examining everything from the washrooms to the players' lounge to the scoreboard. There is currently some work being done to upgrade. Kenney said the family told him to "think long-term" in terms of improvements. Fans should notice better washroom facilities and concessions. Part of the process has been Kenney taste-testing hot dogs to find the best one.
The players should have a better weight room when they report in 2010. The umpires' dressing room is being relocated. The back of the scoreboard is being repaired and updated. There are no plans for a video scoreboard, but the team is looking into having replays and stats available for fans at the ballpark to use on their iPhones and other hand-held devices.
The team is negotiating with businesses to find a sponsor for the billboards projected for left field. Kenney said the goal is to preserve the culture of Wrigley Field but also bring in revenue.
The team hopes to create a club on the mezzanine level where Suites 1-6 are currently located. About 80 tickets will be available for that location, and fans will have access to their own concessions and a bar. The tickets will be sold as season tickets. Expect an announcement sometime after Christmas.
* TRIANGLE BUILDING: The Cubs are interviewing architects and engineers to get the project going. The building, which will be located on Clark Street, west of Wrigley Field, could house offices, a restaurant and retail options.
* ICE RINK: The Cubs are building an ice rink in the parking lot west of Wrigley Field which will be open this winter. More details to come. It's being done in conjunction with the Chicago Park District, and because of the interest created by the NHL Winter Classic played at Wrigley on Jan. 1.
-- Carrie Muskat<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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