CHICAGO (AP) -Break out the sunscreen and come hungry for a hot dog or two.
Because of the struggling economy, seats on one of those cool rooftops across the street from Wrigley Field can now be yours for a dozen or more Cubs games this season.
The recession has forced companies to scale back-back-back on corporate outings and entertainment, so the owners of one rooftop are getting creative in their efforts to keep people coming by. And they’re going old school to do it, using that tried-and-true method of season ticket deals and inviting regular Joes back up for the fun.
Skybox on Sheffield last week began offering 12- and 18-game packages. The packages, which range from $1,740 per person up to $3,150, include admission to the rooftop overlooking right field, plus food and drinks.
artners.
“We’ve got our facility no matter what, so what we need to do is try to put people in our facility to see what we had to offer.”
The Cubs haven’t won a World Series in 101 years and, for much of the time since then, they’ve earned every bit of their “Lovable Losers” moniker. Yet they’re one of the most popular teams in all of sports, with Wrigley Field a large part of that folksy charm.
Built in 1914, Wrigley is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors (Fenway Park is older by two years) and a monument to the national pastime. Tucked in the middle of a residential neighborhood, ivy covers the brick outfield walls, and the massive scoreboard is still changed by hand.
The brownstones and apartment buildings that surround Wrigley add to its homey feel.
The rooftop phenomenon started a few decades ago, when neighborhood residents would tote grills and coolers up to their roofs to watch the Cubs with friends. It brought back memories of an era when fans could peek through knotholes in fences or watch games at the Polo Grounds from behind ropes across the outfield.
Then someone realized there was money on those roofs. Small, friendly get-togethers gave way to corporate bigwigs and bachelor parties shelling out as much as $200 per person for the view, food and drinks. Ratty lawn chairs were replaced with bleachers – two and three decks of them, in places.
nt experience being on the rooftop,” said Terie Kata, community liaison for the Wrigley Rooftop Association, a group of 12 rooftop owners. “There’s usually more of a camaraderie, party atmosphere on the rooftops than in the ballpark.”
The Cubs are a happy partner with the rooftops. And no wonder: The team gets 17 percent of the rooftop owners’ gross revenues.
Views vary from roof to roof.
At Skybox, which is just to the centerfield side of the first base foul pole, the view is better than it would be inside some other ballparks. There’s a clear view of home plate, and only deep right and the deepest part of center are obstructed.
There are two outdoor levels (no bathroom lines here; each level has its own set); a beer garden; two bars; a grilling area; and a state-of-the-art sound system. The third floor features an 1,800-square-foot “clubhouse” with a pool table, game room, hardwood floors and another bar.
“It’s like an extension of the bleachers, since we’re pretty much right on top of the field,” Zasiebida said.
The rooftop owners sell more than the view. The admission price includes food, drinks and plasma TVs, and many of the buildings offer indoor space with Internet access – even fax machines for those who can’t play hooky from work the entire day.
uch as 75 percent of last season. But corporate bookings for the 2009 season are down about 10 percent, and Zasiebida said the group thinks the season ticket packages will help make up some of that difference.
Skybox is offering three packages for both the 12- and 18-game plans, all of which include tickets for opening day. The platinum package, the priciest at $175 per game per person, allows the holder to pick any game on the Cubs schedule, while the others block out the popular crosstown series with the Chicago White Sox and the July series with the rival St. Louis Cardinals. Season ticket owners also get priority for non-baseball events at Wrigley, such as this summer’s Elton John-Billy Joel concert.
While this sounds extravagant, consider that lower-deck seats in Wrigley range from $70 to $350 for the best games. And that’s before buying peanuts, Cracker Jack, hot dogs and beer.
If you can even get tickets. The Cubs drew a record 3.3 million fans last season. More than 100,000 people are on the waiting list for season tickets.
“When you think about it, if I’m bringing clients there, it’s $30 to $50 a ticket, plus beer and food, so it’s really coming out to be the same thing,” said Bill Olson, who bought four of the 12-game platinum packages and plans to use them for personal and business entertaining.
aining.”
Skybox has sold 20-30 sets of the 12-game packages so far, Zasiebida said, and another 15-20 of the 18-game packages. Much of the interest has come from families who want to go to several games but not to day games in April, May and September, when kids are in school.
Because Skybox only started selling their packages last week, it’s too soon to know if other rooftop owners will follow suit. But given the economy, the other owners are going to need some spark.
“We are cutting back, but something like this is a good deal you can’t pass up,” Olson said. “It’s definitely one of the marquee tools for entertainment. It utilizes the rooftop and the Cubs – everybody likes to go to a Cubs game and have a good time.”
Add A Comment