Chicago Cubs: Insane ticket prices, bad team will keep fans from Wrigley

The Chicago Cubs have charted a wholly unsustainable course forward when it comes to putting bodies in the seats at Wrigley Field. A decimated roster that looks, feels and sounds like it belongs in Des Moines paired with the highest ticket prices in the game by a wide margin? That’s not gonna cut it.

This season, Chicago is averaging just over 22,000 fans per home game – although that number is heavily skewed due to the restrictions that were in place to open the 2021 campaign. Still, even taking that into account, the Cubs’ home attendance this year ranks fifth in the Senior Circuit, the lowest the team has ranked since 2014.

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In mid-July, Bleed Cubbie Blue delved into the team’s attendance this year and did a really nice job breaking down the attendance caps early in the season. Keep in mind, that piece was written on July 15 – two weeks before Jed Hoyer embarked on his trade deadline firesale that saw the three most popular Cubs players, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, sent packing.

Since the All-Star Break, Chicago is just 8-19. From the deadline on, it’s been even worse, with David Ross’ club coming off a seven-game homestand in which they went winless. The last time the club had a homestand of at least that length without a single victory? 1943. This team isn’t just bad – it’s historically awful – and fans aren’t about to reward Tom Ricketts by putting money in his pockets.

Chicago Cubs: Why would fans put their money in the Ricketts’ pockets?

To rub salt in the wounds of fans, the team received approval for a Wrigley Field sportsbook this week which means – you guessed it – yet another revenue generator for ownership. After being promised that once the 1060 Project was complete and Marquee Network was off the ground, finances would never be a worry again, people have had enough – and it’s showing in how poorly games are being attended right now.

The lone exception was the Crosstown Cup series last weekend, which saw the Cubs get swept at the hands of the rival White Sox, kicking off what was to be dreadful homestand by the time it was all said and done. That drubbing, paired with a subsequent sweep by the Brewers, have us all counting down till the 2021 campaign mercifully comes to an end.

Look. This is a crisis. The Chicago Cubs are going to hemorrhage fans unless they flip this thing around on a dime. The days where families could go and enjoy the magic of Wrigley Field are quickly becoming a thing of the past. It costs too much and even if you can afford to go, why bother?

Ownership doesn’t seem to care about the product on the field, assuming the Confines fill themselves regardless. This organization thinks in terms of dollars and cents – and that comes at a severe detriment to those who love this team most: the fans.