77 Hitmen Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 1 hour ago, DoUEvenShift said: I asked Chat GPT to combine several sources to compile a ranking list We only beat out the minor league and spring training parks. Grok has us at the bottom as well Chat GPT has been brainwashed by Cubs fans! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 (edited) 7 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said: I Googled MLB ballpark rankings right now.....I don't think Sox fans are going to like the results. Almost all have the park very near the bottom of the 28 parks (excluding Oakland and Tampa Bay). I found only one so far that ranked it at 21, but that appears to be an outlier. It ranks Rate Field ahead of Truist Park. ....and don't get me wrong, I'm not rooting for our stadium to be ranked so low and I'm not telling anyone they have to dislike the place. If someone thinks it's #21 (or even higher), more power to them and I'm not going to argue with anyone for liking our stadium and having a good time there. That being said, being 21st out of 28 isn't exactly something to brag about IMO. If the new owners say no to paying for a new stadium and end up signing a long-term lease at Rate Field, I will continue to enjoy my visits there and hope they make improvements to the park and the surrounding area. I just think it's a cold, hard reality that Rate Field is not very well regarded outside the rabid Sox fan base and I simply don't think it's because everyone else in the world is ill-informed. Since we're talking about sites that rank MLB ballparks. I found that this site gives very thorough reviews of all the ballparks. Here's what they think of Rate Field: https://ballparkratings.com/ballparks/u-s-cellular-field/ What are people's reaction to it? It's a rather positive write up and even he's surprised that it ends up #26 in his ranking system. This guy obviously has put a lot of thought into his analysis of all the MLB stadiums. I think the only thing he's way off the mark on is a complaint about the statues (huh?), though he still gives the park a high score for them. Edited August 14 by 77 Hitmen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxrwhite Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 Ok this thread has been going for some time now, and I have read most of it. My brief and simple feeling is that the soccer stadium is the first step in developing The 78 into a sports complex. The baseball stadium will be the crown jewel. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mighty Mite Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 (edited) 13 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said: ....and don't get me wrong, I'm not rooting for our stadium to be ranked so low and I'm not telling anyone they have to dislike the place. If someone thinks it's #21 (or even higher), more power to them and I'm not going to argue with anyone for liking our stadium and having a good time there. That being said, being 21st out of 28 isn't exactly something to brag about IMO. If the new owners say no to paying for a new stadium and end up signing a long-term lease at Rate Field, I will continue to enjoy my visits there and hope they make improvements to the park and the surrounding area. I just think it's a cold, hard reality that Rate Field is not very well regarded outside the rabid Sox fan base and I simply don't think it's because everyone else in the world is ill-informed. Since we're talking about sites that rank MLB ballparks. I found that this site gives very thorough reviews of all the ballparks. Here's what they think of Rate Field: https://ballparkratings.com/ballparks/u-s-cellular-field/ What are people's reaction to it? It's a rather positive write up and even he's surprised that it ends up #26 in his ranking system. This guy obviously has put a lot of thought into his analysis of all the MLB stadiums. I think the only thing he's way off the mark on is a complaint about the statues (huh?), though he still gives the park a high score for them. Actually nowadays there are no bad stadiums except of course for Tropicana Field and the abomination in Oakland which is adios, just some stadiums are better than others with IMO PNC Park the best of them all, no goofy fake quirks, just a solid very nice looking ballpark with a great view of the Pittsburgh skyline. One other note, go to a site like Trip Advisor where real fans give their views on The Rate and other ballparks. Edited August 14 by The Mighty Mite 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middle Buffalo Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 16 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said: .Since we're talking about sites that rank MLB ballparks. I found that this site gives very thorough reviews of all the ballparks. Here's what they think of Rate Field: https://ballparkratings.com/ballparks/u-s-cellular-field/ What are people's reaction to it? It's a rather positive write up and even he's surprised that it ends up #26 in his ranking system. This guy obviously has put a lot of thought into his analysis of all the MLB stadiums. I think the only thing he's way off the mark on is a complaint about the statues (huh?), though he still gives the park a high score for them. It’s a fair assessment of the stadium. The main issue is there is nothing to do immediately around it. So, the experience is limited to game. The stadium is nothing special or breathtaking, but there’s also nothing wrong with it when compared to most other stadiums. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepy Harold Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 Some highlights Quote An online survey of 653 South Loop residents conducted in recent weeks by the South Loop Neighbors community group found 73% of respondents said they were "supportive" and nearly half were "strongly supportive" of the Major League Soccer team's proposal, the neighborhood group said in a statement, while about 10% of respondents were opposed. ... Ald. Pat Dowell, whose 3rd Ward includes The 78 property, said in an interview with Crain's today that the survey results "mirror the feedback" she has received in meetings with local community groups about the plan over the last few weeks. "There are still some details that need to be worked out related to pedestrian access from the southern end of the site and real clarity on traffic impacts," Dowell said. "But beyond those two items — and also people wanting clarity on how TIF dollars are going to be used — this seems to be a very well-received proposal." ... Related Midwest and city planning officials are still negotiating terms of a revised redevelopment agreement, or RDA, that would govern the use of TIF money for infrastructure at The 78. The original deal inked in 2019 called for as much as $551 million in infrastructure projects that Related would finance upfront and be reimbursed for using future property tax gains generated by the site. Related said in June the new dollar figure will be lower than that because some big line items won't be needed under the stadium plan, including the $364 million CTA station and an $85 million realignment of Metra tracks running through the site. ... Pending City Council approval of the planned development and RDA, the Fire aim to break ground on the stadium by early next year with the goal of the Fire beginning to play there in 2028. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 10 hours ago, The Mighty Mite said: Actually nowadays there are no bad stadiums except of course for Tropicana Field and the abomination in Oakland which is adios, just some stadiums are better than others with IMO PNC Park the best of them all, no goofy fake quirks, just a solid very nice looking ballpark with a great view of the Pittsburgh skyline. One other note, go to a site like Trip Advisor where real fans give their views on The Rate and other ballparks. Marlins' stadium doesn't have many fans, either, except for WBC and Caribbean series. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 (edited) On 8/14/2025 at 1:28 PM, Sleepy Harold said: Some highlights I wonder what residents would think about 2 stadiums at the site...especially with a baseball stadium with 81 home dates. Of course, we don't know if the Ishbias would actually pay to have such a thing built there. I'm not sure how they're going to address pedestrian access at the south end of the site unless they at least lower the Metra tracks to below grade. The Red Line station at 15th and Clark is probably not necessary or worth the expense if they're only going to build a soccer stadium with 17 home dates and develop the rest of the property as residential since there are other L stops a few blocks away. But if the Sox and their additional 81 games decide to build there, it would be great to have a subway stop right at the site. Edited August 15 by 77 Hitmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 What is the future of Soldier Field if the Bears move to Arlington Heights? https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2025/08/15/soldier-field-future-chicago-bears-arlington-heights-stadium-brandon-johnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 7 minutes ago, 77 Hitmen said: What is the future of Soldier Field if the Bears move to Arlington Heights? https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2025/08/15/soldier-field-future-chicago-bears-arlington-heights-stadium-brandon-johnson Move the whales and make it like the Colisseum when they flooded it for great naval battles. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 4 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said: What is the future of Soldier Field if the Bears move to Arlington Heights? https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2025/08/15/soldier-field-future-chicago-bears-arlington-heights-stadium-brandon-johnson They should tear the monstrosity down save for the columns and turn the area into a park/greenway/playgrounds 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 On 8/15/2025 at 6:34 PM, 77 Hitmen said: What is the future of Soldier Field if the Bears move to Arlington Heights? https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2025/08/15/soldier-field-future-chicago-bears-arlington-heights-stadium-brandon-johnson Have to think they will use it for college/high school big games, soccer, and events going forward until something becomes too expensive to fix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBWSF Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 On 8/15/2025 at 6:34 PM, 77 Hitmen said: What is the future of Soldier Field if the Bears move to Arlington Heights? https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2025/08/15/soldier-field-future-chicago-bears-arlington-heights-stadium-brandon-johnson A good solution would be put another NFL team in Chicago. Have the team play at Soldier Field and have the team play in the AFC conference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 1 minute ago, WBWSF said: A good solution would be put another NFL team in Chicago. Have the team play at Soldier Field and have the team play in the AFC conference. OK then. 😉 That is a complete fantasy. The Bears would never allow it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Legislators say the Bears need to do more to get their votes on the property tax legislation. Several examples are given, including paying off the debt on Solider Field. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/18/chicago-bears-tax-break-build-new-stadium/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 And the Bears aren't the only NFL team that has hit a roadblock to getting a new domed stadium built: https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/08/15/odot-denies-aviation-permit-browns-stadium-brook-park/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tnetennba Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said: Legislators say the Bears need to do more to get their votes on the property tax legislation. Several examples are given, including paying off the debt on Solider Field. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/18/chicago-bears-tax-break-build-new-stadium/ 1000% this part. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tnetennba Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 On 8/15/2025 at 5:43 PM, 77 Hitmen said: I wonder what residents would think about 2 stadiums at the site...especially with a baseball stadium with 81 home dates. Of course, we don't know if the Ishbias would actually pay to have such a thing built there. I'm not sure how they're going to address pedestrian access at the south end of the site unless they at least lower the Metra tracks to below grade. The Red Line station at 15th and Clark is probably not necessary or worth the expense if they're only going to build a soccer stadium with 17 home dates and develop the rest of the property as residential since there are other L stops a few blocks away. But if the Sox and their additional 81 games decide to build there, it would be great to have a subway stop right at the site. A 15th & Clark Red Line stop would make sense for the 78, but how well that location would serve or, not serve, the surrounding community makes me think it is unlikely. I don't know if it would feasible to build a station the Orange line west of Clark, but I think any new CTA station would need to serve the greater community outside the 78 in order to be aproved and built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 If the bears commit to paying off that final 500+ million(which, DUH, this shouldn’t even be a question) then that infrastructure should get passed pretty damn quick. I wonder if they are trying to pass the bill to CPD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThirdGen Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said: If the bears commit to paying off that final 500+ million(which, DUH, this shouldn’t even be a question) then that infrastructure should get passed pretty damn quick. I wonder if they are trying to pass the bill to CPD Before the Bears commit to paying off over $500 million in debt, they should ask how the debt grew from the original $432 million owed when the stadium opened 25 years ago. The Bears and the NFL contributed $200 million toward the original cost. It's the same BS the state claims on Rate Field. Somehow the debt on the stadium is currently higher than the place cost to build 35 years ago. Seems clear the debt is being refinanced time and time again to support other expenses, and the Bears and Sox are being blamed. Edited August 18 by ThirdGen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip Man 1 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 8 minutes ago, ThirdGen said: Before the Bears commit to paying off over $500 million in debt, they should ask how the debt grew from the original $432 million owed when the stadium opened 25 years ago. The Bears and the NFL contributed $200 million toward the original cost. It's the same BS the state claims on Rate Field. Somehow the debt on the stadium is currently higher than the place cost to build 35 years ago. Seems clear the debt is being refinanced time and time again to support other expenses, and the Bears and Sox are being blamed. In a stadium situation like this does the interest on the debt increase over time? Does it compound? Are bonds involved that have this as part of the fee? That would explain some of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThirdGen Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 3 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said: In a stadium situation like this does the interest on the debt increase over time? Does it compound? Are bonds involved that have this as part of the fee? That would explain some of it. Yes, if nothing is paid off. Over $1 billion in taxes from the hotel tax that was supposed to pay off these bonds has been collected since 1990. Where did all that money go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 16 minutes ago, ThirdGen said: Before the Bears commit to paying off over $500 million in debt, they should ask how the debt grew from the original $432 million owed when the stadium opened 25 years ago. The Bears and the NFL contributed $200 million toward the original cost. It's the same BS the state claims on Rate Field. Somehow the debt on the stadium is currently higher than the place cost to build 35 years ago. Seems clear the debt is being refinanced time and time again to support other expenses, and the Bears and Sox are being blamed. Two things here. #1, the debt service at Sox Park is a fraction of that number, and should be easily be retired before a new stadium is opened. #2, Sox Park only has debt because more money was spent in 2003 for major construction to redo the park and extend the lease. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThirdGen Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 (edited) 20 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said: Two things here. #1, the debt service at Sox Park is a fraction of that number, and should be easily be retired before a new stadium is opened. #2, Sox Park only has debt because more money was spent in 2003 for major construction to redo the park and extend the lease. I was under the belief that Cellular One paid for the renovations in exchange for naming rights? Edited August 18 by ThirdGen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77 Hitmen Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 35 minutes ago, ThirdGen said: Before the Bears commit to paying off over $500 million in debt, they should ask how the debt grew from the original $432 million owed when the stadium opened 25 years ago. The Bears and the NFL contributed $200 million toward the original cost. It's the same BS the state claims on Rate Field. Somehow the debt on the stadium is currently higher than the place cost to build 35 years ago. Seems clear the debt is being refinanced time and time again to support other expenses, and the Bears and Sox are being blamed. 25 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said: In a stadium situation like this does the interest on the debt increase over time? Does it compound? Are bonds involved that have this as part of the fee? That would explain some of it. 20 minutes ago, ThirdGen said: Yes, if nothing is paid off. Over $1 billion in taxes from the hotel tax that was supposed to pay off these bonds has been collected since 1990. Where did all that money go? This article answers that question. Nobody took the money borrowed for the Soldier Field renovation for other expenses, the payment structure was totally backloaded and the debt owed has accrued $250M in interest over the last 20+ years. https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/taxpayers-still-owe-640m-on-2002-soldier-field-renovation/2981068/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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