Wrigley rumble: Cubs break off rooftop talks

Crain's Chicago Business reports:

The Chicago Cubs have declared an end to negotiations with the Wrigleyville Rooftop Association and are plowing ahead with their $300 million planned renovation of Wrigley Field.

The team also now plans to go big with its plans for outfield signage, proposing to add five more outfield signs beyond the two approved by the city last year, including a second video board.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has released a six-minute video declaring his plan to move ahead with the renovation project despite the threat of a lawsuit from rooftop owners over planned outfield signage.


"We've spent endless hours negotiating with rooftop businesses," Mr. Ricketts said in the video. "We've gotten nowhere in our talks with them to settle this dispute. It has to end. It's time to move forward. I have to put the team and the fans first."

Rooftop owners claim that putting up any signs in Wrigley's outfield that block their views violates 20-year contracts they signed with the team in 2004 that prevent the team from erecting "windscreens or other barriers to obstruct the views of the rooftops," the copy of one contract reads.

A battle begins.