Go, Cubs, go—but where?

Amid proposed renovations and a controversial deal with Chicago officials, is franchise owner Tom Ricketts’ threat to move the team away from Wrigley Field a veiled PR tactic?

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The team is looking to add signage to the outfield, which would block the view from the rooftops across the street. Rooftop owners, who routinely stuff local politicians’ pockets with campaign cash, are the most vocal in the efforts to stop the team from killing their source of income. The rooftop owners share 17 percent of their revenue with the team.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts presented plans on Wednesday detailing the proposed improvements to Wrigley. When reporters asked him about the team’s recent struggles to gain city approval, he responded:

A similar tactic helped White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf persuade the city, state and taxpayers to help build U.S. Cellular field. Reinsdorf famously threatened to move the team to Florida, and St. Petersburg even built them a stadium that would eventually host the Tampa Bay Rays.

From a PR standpoint, there’s no better way to vilify your opponent than threatening to move one of the most storied—albeit more for futility—franchises in major sports.

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