5,700 Square Feet

Earlier this week I went to the Cubs game. I am a big cubs fan. My family and I go to several games a year, probably double digits. This week was our last game of the 2013 season. I was sitting in the stands, looking around, and I realized that this was the last time I would see Wrigley Field the way it is. Wrigley Field is one of the oldest ball parks in America, and it has so much character. It is the only major league stadium with a non-electronic scoreboard, and is a big tourist attraction for people that visit Chicago.

Over the summer the owners of the Cubs proposed a $500 million renovation plan, and it was approved. They want to renovate the entire ballpark, including adding a 5,700 square foot electronic scoreboard over the bleachers.

I am okay with the idea for renovating, but why add a huge scoreboard? The non-electronic scoreboard is what makes Wrigley unique. I love that part of the stadium. But also what I don't understand, is why do we need all these renovations if nobody goes to the games to begin with? The Cubs are really bad. I mean, really bad. They struggle to bring in a lot of fans to each game. So why spend so much money on renovations to a field that nobody goes to to begin with? I don't understand it. I don't see how they could make enough money in the next few years because of these renovations to cover that kind of spending. I think they should spend more time and effort focusing on putting a decent team on the field. Maybe that will attract fans.

This is a photo of Wrigley Field as it is right now. The electronic scoreboard would be put just to the left of the green one already there.

Renovations proposals: http://espn.go.com/chicago/photos/gallery/_/id/8870086/image/1/wrigley-renderings-marquee-view-proposed-wrigley-field-renovations