Wrigley Rooftops Offer 100 Percent Ad Revenue

In an effort to convince the Chicago Cubs to not place billboard advertising on Wrigley Field, owners of the 17 rooftop clubs are offering up all the revenue generated from ads on their buildings instead, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) was working on an advertising deal with the Cubs in October so the surrounding club seats wouldn’t have their views blocked by billboards. At the time, it wasn’t clear whether revenue from the ads would be shared with owners of the club seats.

The latest announcement came Friday during a news conference at Murphy’s Bleachers where club owners argued ads on their buildings could generate $17.9 million annually, the Sun-Times says. However, Cubs officials said more money could be generated if the billboards were inside the park, essentially blocking the clubs’ views.

Tunney said he's fully on board with the plan, saying he fully supports renovating Wrigley Field and using the rooftop ads as a source of revenue. 

"There are many creative ideas and moving parts that surround current discussions for improvements at Wrigley Field and the surrounding area," Tunney said in a statement. "I am supportive of ideas to help renovate the stadium. The advertising proposal from the rooftops can be part of the larger picture for preserving Wrigley. I remain committed to working with the Cubs and small businesses in the neighborhood.  Most importantly, we will continue to engage our residents in discussions concerning Wrigley Field and their quality of life."

The push for more advertising is a result of the team’s plan to complete a $300 million renovation of Wrigley Field starting sometime this fall. However, Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney told fans at the 2013 Cubs Convention that if the team isn’t allowed to make a decision without it first being approved by the community, then they want to impose an entertainment tax on residents to help foot the bill.

But while the club seat owners are offering up 100 percent of the revenue, they also cite the 2004 landmark ordinance as a reason why the Cubs can’t construct new billboards blocking their views. A press release, sent to Bleed Cubbie Blue, outlines the group’s reasoning for its decision. 

"The rooftops would forego all revenue generated from the new advertising plan contingent on the Cubs ensuring their current views will remain protected. According to the 2OO4 landmark ordinance enacted as part of a compromise between the City Council, Chicago Cubs, rooftop owners and community groups, the "unenclosed, open-air character" and "uninterrupted sweep of the bleachers," must be protected. Any relaxation of this ordinance, including blocking "the memorable views of the surrounding buildings," violates the current settlement contract and ordinance. Under the rooftops plan, 1OO% of the revenue generated from the new advertising will go to the City of Chicago and the Chicago Cubs to complete renovation plans and address community needs such as additional police, parking enforcement and other services to ameliorate the impact of Cubs games on the community."

Representatives with the Cubs did not immediately return Patch’s request for a comment on whether they plan to consider the deal. 

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