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Chicago Cubs: Tom Ricketts speaks to season ticket holders
On Thursday, Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts covered an array of topics, including the 2020 season, in a discussion with season ticket holders.
As Major League Baseball continues discussions with the MLBPA over how and if the 2020 season will be played, Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts chatted with season ticket holders on Thursday. He offered up some insights on several topics – including the big elephant in the room as the two sides go back-and-forth: the economic impact of COVID-19 on the sport.
Now, Ricketts has regularly found himself in the crosshairs of Cubs fans since the team won the World Series back in 2016. As a group, fans rode the high through 2017, but by 2018 their mood had soured and, this offseason, hit its lowest point in recent memory as the front office unsuccessfully sought to get under the $208 million luxury tax threshold.
The perception surrounding Ricketts and baseball owners in general isn’t great right now. They reportedly agreed to give players a prorated salary in recent months only to look to renege on the deal now that it’s abundantly clear: there won’t be fans at Major League Baseball games in 2020.
Chicago Cubs: Can players, owners reach a deal on money for 2020?
According to the AP, the MLBPA submitted a request for a bevy of financial documents from the league – comparable to what they might ask for during collective bargaining talks, which are also rapidly approaching – due to begin at the conclusion of the 2021 campaign. This will give the players a much clearer picture of what the sport is looking at in terms of finances as the two sides spar over a proposed revenue-sharing deal put forth by the owners.
Back to Ricketts’ chat with Cubs season ticket holders. The big comment that raised a lot of eyebrows from social media related to the organization’s revenue percentages that supposedly come from game day – a la tickets, parking, concessions, souvenirs and everything else that goes with 40,000 fans flocking to the Friendly Confines. According to Ricketts, that equates to roughly 70 percent of the team’s revenue – a figure that doesn’t paint Crane Kenney, the team’s president of business operations, in even a remotely flattering light.
Obviously, the team is working on countless plans and contingencies. As you’re all aware, we’re in uncharted waters when it comes to the current landscape as we’ve never quite seen anything like COVID-19 in our lifetimes. This includes plans for no fans at Wrigley Field, some fans (at some point) – and an eventual ‘normal’ game day experience. Right now, the Cubs have to plan for every possible outcome – because every day, the situation shifts and the target they’re aiming for moves.
Chicago Cubs: Still in talks for Marquee carriage; Pressy’s replacements
Pivoting away from the 2020 season and everything that’s going in to potentially playing baseball this summer, Ricketts and Kenney touched on several other topics, as well. Per Kenney, they’re still working toward a deal with Comcast that would put Marquee Network in the homes of millions of Chicagoland area residents – and continue to do the same with carriers like YouTube TV and Dish Network.
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This remains a major issue in the minds of Cubs fans. Even if baseball were to return this summer, the overwhelming majority of households wouldn’t be able to watch the games. With countless bars and restaurants shuttered for the time being, those who had plans to take advantage of those options are out of luck right now, as well.
All indications point to the pseudo spring training we’re all longing for taking place at Wrigley Field with minimal contact between outside parties and players. Of course, that’s contingent on Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot approving such plans.
Last, but certainly not least, the organization selected its replacement for longtime Wrigley Field organist Gary Pressy – or rather his three replacements. It only makes sense that to replace the Iron Man of performers, you need multiple humans.
dark. Next. Significant hurdles remain if baseball is to be played this year
This is a very high-level look at the call. For the nitty-gritty, check out this Twitter thread – which, bar none, is the best look at what came out of the call on Thursday. We’ll keep you posted on the latest between the league and the player’s union – as it will surely be the story to watch in the days and weeks to come.