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Sam Zell is a Bad, Bad Man

February 27, 2008 by cubsnet

And must be stopped before he does too much damage to the Chicago Cubs. See CBSSports.com's Scott Miller for more. We are going to regret the day he obtained control of the Tribune Co. if he does not sell the Cubs soon and very soon. Here's one thing we think we know: Sam Zell will sell the naming rights to Wrigley Field and ultimately Wrigley Field itself, separate from the team, if he thinks it's in the best interests of Sam Zell, whether or not it's in the best interests of the Chicago Cubs.
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Zell

February 28, 2008 by Brian C, 1 year 17 weeks ago
Comment id: 3048

As much as I hate the guy based on the naming rights issue alone, there's some kind of cosmic justice here. I've read a lot of different people through the years bash the Trib for their ownership of the club, but of course people always seem to forget to be careful what they wish for.

That said, I get the feeling that Zell is simply posturing here. And even if he's serious, it strikes me as the kind of undertaking that's easier said than done. For example, isn't the Wrigley Field sign protected under some sort of landmark status?

Wrigley Field sign

February 29, 2008 by cubsnet, 1 year 17 weeks ago
Comment id: 3049

isn't the Wrigley Field sign protected under some sort of landmark status?

That sounds right, but I don't know for sure. That's be interesting. Selling the naming rights, but having to leave "Wrigley Field" on the sign.

Petition to Boycott Naming Rights Buyer

February 29, 2008 by cubsnet, 1 year 17 weeks ago
Comment id: 3050

I have been notified that you can sign an online pledge to boycott any company that buys the naming rights to Wrigley Field here.

Wojciechowski Discussing Zell

February 29, 2008 by cubsnet, 1 year 17 weeks ago
Comment id: 3051

ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski on Sam Zell:

Quote:
The good news is that Sam Zell is selling the Chicago Cubs. Believe me, you don't want this goober within a foul pole of a major league baseball team. He'd be the first owner to insist on 12-man rosters and that the clubhouses go condo. Anything to save or make a buck.

The bad news is that Sam Zell is selling Wrigley Field as a separate asset, but not before he also might sell the naming rights to baseball's second-oldest ballpark. Sam isn't big on tradition.
....
[W]ithout getting too "Field of Dreams" about it, baseball is a different kind of business. There's a delicate, complicated dynamic between a team and its fans. With the Cubs, that dynamic includes a love affair with Wrigley Field.

The Red Sox, Yankees and Packers owners understand it. That's why they didn't dare screw around with their stadium brand names. Plus, there's money to be made on old age. Fenway, Yankee Stadium and Lambeau are cash cows. Call them something else and they lose their authenticity. They become depressingly corporate.

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