Cubs want Wrigley rooftop owners to sign licensing pact
Condition clouds hopes for a deal

By Gary Washburn
Tribune staff reporter

September 28, 2002

The Chicago Cubs will not agree to any deal with rooftop owners bordering Wrigley Field unless they sign a licensing agreement that formally acknowledges they are using the team's product, Cubs officials said Friday.

A consultant for the business owners termed the demand a "deal breaker," raising questions about whether an accord is possible.

The owners and Cubs officials so far have had a dozen negotiating sessions discussing possible payments by the owners in return for a Wrigley Field bleachers expansion design that would not block views of rooftop customers. Both sides remain far apart on the amount of money that would be required but apparently are even farther apart on the matter of licensing.

"That is an issue that has to be resolved before an agreement can take place," said Cubs President Andy MacPhail. Licensing "is a consistent, fundamental right of the club. A ticket is a revocable license. If you look at our arrangements with broadcasting companies, those are licenses to watch our games. [The rooftops] are no different."

The rooftop owners are seeking a "marketing" agreement.

"Licensing is a deal breaker for us," said Ken Jakubowski, the consultant. "By agreeing to licensing, they want us to admit we have been stealing their product. They would figure out a way in the middle of the agreement to negate it and say we were in violation of some provision. ... Their goal by licensing us is to have as much control over our operation as possible."

MacPhail's comments came after a visit with top aides to Mayor Richard Daley to discuss possible alterations to the team's proposed bleachers design and phasing in more night games. A maximum of 18 night games are now permitted.

"It was a progress report and feedback ... and mostly a discussion of their ongoing discussion with the rooftop owners" said Pete Scales, a spokesman for the city's Planning Department, who declined to provide details.

The rooftop owners offered on Friday to contribute $50,000 annually over the next 20 years to help address ballgame-related neighborhood problems.

Gregg Kiriazes, president of the Lake View Citizens Council, applauded the proposal and said it is more generous than a recent Cubs proposal for the team to contribute a flat $100,000 to help ease problems such as congestion, litter and rowdiness.

The Cubs are owned by Tribune Co., which also owns the Chicago Tribune.

Copyright © 2002, The Chicago Tribune