6 minutes ago, Mouthsider said:

I’m a Gen Z myself, and honestly my friends and I couldn’t give a s%*# if a new stadium is in the South Loop. That alone doesn’t do anything for us casuals besides make the stadium further away/harder to get to. What really matters is that they make the area around it convenient to hang out around. They’d need to put up bars, pubs, etc. and mimic the Wrigleyville model, and that would need to occur in parallel to the construction of a stadium.

However, that’s also why I don’t understand why they can’t just develop the sea of parking lots around 35th and Shields. My buds and I already have bars around there that we like (ok, only Cork and Turtles, but those are the only convenient options), and we would love it if there were more options available. So it kind of feels like they’re not even giving the existing location a chance.

Then again, there’s the potential of building an Oracle Park-style stadium where dingers land in the Chicago River, so who am I to complain.

They probably have zero interest in upkeep and remodel costs going forward to keep the stadium in top shape and also develop the land anymore. At this point they just want NEW. And I get it with Ishbia, he wants his own palace and doesn’t want to be saddled with whatever costs come up at Guaranteed rate once he owns it

39 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

They probably have zero interest in upkeep and remodel costs going forward to keep the stadium in top shape and also develop the land anymore. At this point they just want NEW. And I get it with Ishbia, he wants his own palace and doesn’t want to be saddled with whatever costs come up at Guaranteed rate once he owns it

I agree.

Soxtalk's junk filter works like a charm! It even blocks out idiotic laugh emojis.

3 hours ago, Mouthsider said:

I’m a Gen Z myself, and honestly my friends and I couldn’t give a s%*# if a new stadium is in the South Loop. That alone doesn’t do anything for us casuals besides make the stadium further away/harder to get to. What really matters is that they make the area around it convenient to hang out around. They’d need to put up bars, pubs, etc. and mimic the Wrigleyville model, and that would need to occur in parallel to the construction of a stadium.

However, that’s also why I don’t understand why they can’t just develop the sea of parking lots around 35th and Shields. My buds and I already have bars around there that we like (ok, only Cork and Turtles, but those are the only convenient options), and we would love it if there were more options available. So it kind of feels like they’re not even giving the existing location a chance.

Then again, there’s the potential of building an Oracle Park-style stadium where dingers land in the Chicago River, so who am I to complain.

3 hours ago, Kyyle23 said:

They probably have zero interest in upkeep and remodel costs going forward to keep the stadium in top shape and also develop the land anymore. At this point they just want NEW. And I get it with Ishbia, he wants his own palace and doesn’t want to be saddled with whatever costs come up at Guaranteed rate once he owns it

Yeah, that's the key - building up a thriving "district" around the ballpark no matter where they end up - even if they stay at 35th St.

To answer @Kyyle23 's point, the problem is that remodeling isn't going to fix some key design flaws. I've been to a number of other ballparks and most have lots of decent seats in the 200 and 300 level if lower deck seats are not available before you really get pushed to the bad upper deck seats. At Rate Field, after the lower bowl there is a very small (only 5 rows deep) 300 club section before you get pushed all the way to the 500 level. The lower deck (including outfield seats) only has something like 22k seats with maybe another 3k or so for the pricey club level. After that, fans are in the 500 level, which the Sox have had problems selling tickets for over the years. Also, many other popular parks have the lower concourse at street level, too, which makes the park feel more connected to its surroundings.

One answer would be to build a new ballpark on the site of Old Comiskey and then build up a stadium district around it. Maybe Ishbia ends up there if the Amtrak development falls through. Would that work in drawing casual fans and would businesses in a surrounding stadium district there thrive the 280 days a year the Sox aren't playing a home game?

Edited Saturday at 01:14 AM4 days by 77 Hitmen

19 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said:

One answer would be to build a new ballpark on the site of Old Comiskey and then build up a stadium district around it. Maybe Ishbia ends up there if the Amtrak development falls through. Would that work in drawing casual fans and would businesses in a surrounding stadium district there thrive the 280 days a year the Sox aren't playing a home game?

I feel like this would be guaranteed to work. Bridgeport is already a self-sustaining (and currently expanding) neighborhood, so building a stadium district (especially if that includes a new stadium) would function less as a shot in the arm but rather a treat for the community. Especially given its proximity to the Red Line, which would make it convenient for any intrigued Northsiders to check out.

You raise a good point that Ishbia probably won’t consider it while the Amtrak yard and/or 78 are still available options, which they currently are.

8 hours ago, Mouthsider said:

I feel like this would be guaranteed to work. Bridgeport is already a self-sustaining (and currently expanding) neighborhood, so building a stadium district (especially if that includes a new stadium) would function less as a shot in the arm but rather a treat for the community. Especially given its proximity to the Red Line, which would make it convenient for any intrigued Northsiders to check out.

You raise a good point that Ishbia probably won’t consider it while the Amtrak yard and/or 78 are still available options, which they currently are.

If it hasn't happened in 116 years, why should we think it will happen now?

14 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

If it hasn't happened in 116 years, why should we think it will happen now?

Well, for the majority of the past 116 years, stadium districts weren’t even a thing. Seas of parking lots were what was sought for a while. I want to say it was the Ballpark Village in St. Louis that really kickstarted this wave of developments, and that’s just over 10 years old.

Outside of that, Reinsdorf has shown he’s more than comfortable not investing if that’s the path of least resistance. A ballpark village is an ambitious investment. I wouldn’t expect him to take it upon himself, but seeing the ambition that Ishbia has, I’m thinking there may be a chance now. But again, that chance currently lies in the South Loop/East Pilsen. I can only hope Bridgeport is considered.

Ishbia isn't cheap like Jerry (lol) but he is a greedy son of a b**** PEI who does as he pleases and gets what he wants (e.g., see how he built his Winnetka mansion). Rest assured, Ishbia will move the Sox from their South side home. I recently read that one of his Delaware LLCs (Canal LLC or something like that) has applied to take advantage of a $380+ million dollar Federal loan to relocate the Amtrak rail yard to one of the parking lots at Rate field. So he is beyond the point of considering alternatives as you suggest. The only remaining question for him seems to be whether the stadium will be built on the East side or West side of the Canal.

1 hour ago, tray said:

I recently read that one of his Delaware LLCs (Canal LLC or something like that) has applied to take advantage of a $380+ million dollar Federal loan to relocate the Amtrak rail yard to one of the parking lots at Rate field.

Yeah, Canal Edge LLC has submitted a letter of interest (to some government department) in which they ask for a RRIF (Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing) loan. In part, they’d use it to redevelop the current Amtrak 14th St. Yard, but only after helping Amtrak develop new facilities on UP’s railyard (which would need to be purchased beforehand) near Rate Field. This has been advertised in articles as a “land swap”, but (in my opinion) it’s a much more complicated plan than that with multiple points of failure, so it’s far from a done deal.

1 hour ago, tray said:

So he is beyond the point of considering alternatives as you suggest. The only remaining question for him seems to be whether the stadium will be built on the East side or West side of the Canal.

I’m only expressing my own wishes, not any alternatives. Replacing a stadium with a railyard/maintenance facility is a tough deal for Bridgeport, so my heart will go out to them if/when the time comes.

Edited Monday at 05:58 AM2 days by Mouthsider

4 hours ago, Mouthsider said:

I’m only expressing my own wishes, not any alternatives. Replacing a stadium with a railyard/maintenance facility is a tough deal for Bridgeport, so my heart will go out to them if/when the time comes.

Wishes? Wishes are like hopes and dreams and prayers - they only reside between ones ears. Truth is real. That which is not real does not exist. The truth of the matter is that Ishbia is far along in the process of moving the White Sox. That is almost a done deal. Just like when Reinsdorf decided on a new stadium design and location for the White Sox, there was no process that included fan input or the concerns of local businesses or the community. This is business for this guy. Big business. Forget about anything else.

Selections suggested for entertainment district:

JR Wax Museum

Massage Spa

Bingo Casinorama

Dave and Busters

Flash Mob Fountain

Skateboard Playground

Baseball Mentalist Martha

Tailgate Tractors.

Payday Ticket Loans

Pinball Video Arcade

Sox Soothsayer Oddsmaker

Sox Batting Cages

Bullpen Bloopers

Bridgeport is not a destination outside of Sox games. I am beyond caring what JR does with the team.

9 hours ago, tray said:

Ishbia isn't cheap like Jerry (lol) but he is a greedy son of a b**** PEI who does as he pleases and gets what he wants (e.g., see how he built his Winnetka mansion). Rest assured, Ishbia will move the Sox from their South side home. I recently read that one of his Delaware LLCs (Canal LLC or something like that) has applied to take advantage of a $380+ million dollar Federal loan to relocate the Amtrak rail yard to one of the parking lots at Rate field. So he is beyond the point of considering alternatives as you suggest. The only remaining question for him seems to be whether the stadium will be built on the East side or West side of the Canal.

Jerry is also a greedy SOB PEI guy. Literally he put together private equity to lead a group to buy the White Sox. In fact he has never had enough money up to be the majority owner, demonstrating it was mostly private equity he used to run the White Sox for the last 45 years.

3 hours ago, tray said:

Wishes? Wishes are like hopes and dreams and prayers - they only reside between ones ears. Truth is real. That which is not real does not exist. The truth of the matter is that Ishbia is far along in the process of moving the White Sox. That is almost a done deal. Just like when Reinsdorf decided on a new stadium design and location for the White Sox, there was no process that included fan input or the concerns of local businesses or the community. This is business for this guy. Big business. Forget about anything else.

I forget, how much Bridgeport consultation did Jerry do when he had a stadium built in Tampa?

Opposition in IN to the Bears stadium plan is starting to show.

The first cracks are showing in Indiana’s Bears stadium plan

Indiana's bid to lure the Chicago Bears to Hammond is facing its first signs of political resistance as Porter County officials question taxes tied to the deal.

2 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

I forget, how much Bridgeport consultation did Jerry do when he had a stadium built in Tampa?

SS2K: As I stated, JR had no process that included fan input or the concerns of local businesses or the community....and there is none now. I think you agree.

Hypothetically, IF I had Ishbia's money (I would be retired) , in addition to focusing on building a new stadium and entertainment district I would work with the current majority stockholders including, (yes, the demon himself, JR), to sign/extend the outstanding players as necessary to solidify the core moving forward. I do not want to lose Mune to the Dodgers , Yankees etc.

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Opposition in IN to the Bears stadium plan is starting to show.

The first cracks are showing in Indiana’s Bears stadium plan

Indiana's bid to lure the Chicago Bears to Hammond is facing its first signs of political resistance as Porter County officials question taxes tied to the deal.

The locals don't want to pay for it, surprise.

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Opposition in IN to the Bears stadium plan is starting to show.

The first cracks are showing in Indiana’s Bears stadium plan

Indiana's bid to lure the Chicago Bears to Hammond is facing its first signs of political resistance as Porter County officials question taxes tied to the deal.

The Indiana Governor and the Indiana senators want the Bears in Indiana. It doesn't matter what the other politicians in the state want. And most of the Indiana poiliticians want the Bears in Indiana. If the Bears ownership want to go to Indiana it will happen.

4 hours ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Opposition in IN to the Bears stadium plan is starting to show.

The first cracks are showing in Indiana’s Bears stadium plan

Indiana's bid to lure the Chicago Bears to Hammond is facing its first signs of political resistance as Porter County officials question taxes tied to the deal.

Is it the nail polish?

6 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

Jerry is also a greedy SOB PEI guy. Literally he put together private equity to lead a group to buy the White Sox. In fact he has never had enough money up to be the majority owner, demonstrating it was mostly private equity he used to run the White Sox for the last 45 years.

They all are. How many owners out there bought a team truly for “the love of the game”? The main goal for all of them is to make money.

51 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

They all are. How many owners out there bought a team truly for “the love of the game”? The main goal for all of them is to make money.

The fallacy that somehow one billionaire is better than another is kind of laughable. I think Sox fans just want one that isn't afraid to spend some of that inheritance. No one has any delusions that Ishbia is some kind of nice guy or something.

7 hours ago, southsider2k5 said:

Jerry is also a greedy SOB PEI guy. Literally he put together private equity to lead a group to buy the White Sox. In fact he has never had enough money up to be the majority owner, demonstrating it was mostly private equity he used to run the White Sox for the last 45 years.

Jerry never built in Tampa. It might have been built for him. Like Kaminski Field was.

2 minutes ago, pcintelligence said:

Jerry never built in Tampa. It might have been built for him. Like Kaminski Field was.

He convinced Tampa to build it for him.

1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

They all are. How many owners out there bought a team truly for “the love of the game”? The main goal for all of them is to make money.

That and they own a team for their ego. There aren't many things as elite as owning a MLB (or other major pro sports) franchise. This (and tax implications) is why Jerry is keeping the option to sell the team until he's 98. And I'm not vilifying him for that, he's no different than other owners in that regard.

1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said:

The fallacy that somehow one billionaire is better than another is kind of laughable. I think Sox fans just want one that isn't afraid to spend some of that inheritance. No one has any delusions that Ishbia is some kind of nice guy or something.

The only place I have read any suggestion that Ishbia is a terrible, greedy, despicable human being on a different level than other billiionaire pro sports owners such that Sox fans should dread his potential ownership is one single poster on this site (now inducted as the sole member of my Soxtalk HoF) pushing this narrative ad nauseum. That's it. Can anyone find anyone anywhere who has intense reservations about Justin Ishbia buying the White Sox? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?

The negatives I have heard about the Ishbias is that their throwing money at the Phoenix Suns hasn't turned them into a winning team and that's a cautionary tale about getting too excited about their ownership of the Sox. Also, disputes with his mansion in Winnetka. Both are valid complaints, but I don't see anything that would make Sox fans howl in protest at him being lined up as the team's next owner.

Are there really other Sox fans out there outraged at the idea that super-wealthy billionaire brothers with deep Chicago ties have emerged at the likely next Sox owner? I'm not seeing it anywhere.

Edited Monday at 11:39 PM1 day by 77 Hitmen

Politico reports that the Bears are working behind the scenes with IL officials on a possible stadium deal.

https://www.bleachernation.com/bears/2026/06/22/bears-stadium-watch-12/

Edited Monday at 11:42 PM1 day by 77 Hitmen