On 5/4/2026 at 4:26 PM, tray said:

You always choose the easiest possible route issuing personal attacks including. in this case, a strange, untruthful, and unsupported accusation of antisemitism. You have a lot of nerve but sitting behind the keyboard that doesn't take much. I could say more, but I respect the forum rules so I'll leave it at that. Never enough for you though. Keeps stalking my posts.

Back to The Hall of Fame List. That was a short recess.

On 5/24/2026 at 12:00 PM, 77 Hitmen said:

Gen Z will be closing in on age 40

I’ll be 51 that year and personally hope that the next stadium they build includes condominiums so I can buy one and live within walking distance of the ballpark.

It’s my dream to live out my days watching every home game for a couple of decades.

On 5/24/2026 at 12:34 PM, The Mighty Mite said:

That 20% are there to see Wrigley Field.

And the bars and nightlife around the wrigleyville neighborhood.

A winning team, a new and interesting baseball palace, and some invigorating bars and restaraunts on the nearby riverwalk could change the dynamics drastically................... Easier said than done though.

Sox Machine has a pretty good and detailed look at Ishbia's plans for a new ballpark on the Amtrak yard and the steps that need to happen to make it a reality.

Justin Ishbia's path toward building a new White Sox ball...

Justin Ishbia found an unlikely partner to free up space in building a new stadium for the Chicago White Sox, but 11th Ward Alderman Nicole Lee doesn't want to lose a baseball team for a rail yard.

I'll also note that the author of this article says this in the comments section (BNSF owns the Metra yard that is just to the west of the Amtrak site).

"Part of the presentation by Amtrak last month made an off-hand mention that Ishbia and Canal Edge were speaking with BNSF. I haven't unearthed any intel how those conversations went. If anything changes on that front, I'll report back."

Edited May 26May 26 by 77 Hitmen

Meanwhile regarding the Bears:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2026/05/26/bears-stadium-megaproject-bill-cook-county-treasurer-analysis

18 hours ago, hi8is said:

I’ll be 51 that year and personally hope that the next stadium they build includes condominiums so I can buy one and live within walking distance of the ballpark.

It’s my dream to live out my days watching every home game for a couple of decades.

I'll be a senior citizen by then 😮. Similar to what someone in the Sox Machine article comments said, I'd love the idea of hopping on an express train in the Naperville area and then getting off the train either right at the next stadium or at worst a 20 minute walk from Union Station. I could see myself in retirement attending a lot of weekday matinee games that way. Weeknights and Saturday nights, too. That would sure beat driving on I-88/294/55 to get to the current park since the traffic is often lousy on some stretches of that commute.

Fun fact: the BNSF now runs 10:30pm express trains on Saturday and Sunday nights to Downers Grove and all stops beyond that. 5:30pm expresses too (which could come in handy for Sat and Sun day games).

19 hours ago, hi8is said:

I’ll be 51 that year and personally hope that the next stadium they build includes condominiums so I can buy one and live within walking distance of the ballpark.

It’s my dream to live out my days watching every home game for a couple of decades.

There are a TON of condos within a mile of that location. It was built up a crazy amount over the last 20 years or so.

1 minute ago, southsider2k5 said:

There are a TON of condos within a mile of that location. It was built up a crazy amount over the last 20 years or so.

Groovy… if a ballpark goes in there around 203x then I’ll probably be able to get the f*** out of Cali finally 😆

Lawmakers are considering narrowing the "megaprojects" bill to focus on the Bears to help get it across the finish line.

Note that Jerry Reinsdorf and his quest for a new Sox stadium do come up in the article as he quietly met with legislature leaders last week.

Bears stadium talks hit new twist in Springfield endgame

Illinois lawmakers are considering narrowing a sweeping megaproject bill to focus on keeping the Bears in Illinois as broader negotiations begin to fracture.

Two years after rolling into the state Capitol sporting a leather jacket while cameras followed his every move, Reinsdorf quietly met with the lead negotiators of the megaproject bill last week, including Cunningham and State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, who has been a point man on the legislation in the House. The Sox owner is still hopeful of building a new ballpark in the South Loop at The 78 megadevelopment, where Chicago Fire FC has broken ground on its own stadium.

Buckner described the talks as a “refresher” on Reinsdorf’s plans for The 78 that never gained traction because they relied on huge public subsidies from the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

While he said the meeting with Reinsdorf was friendly without delving into specifics, the position against using ISFA-backed bonds for stadium construction hasn’t changed, Buckner told Crain’s last week.

“We’ve talked about how the state is inclined to move away from the old model of direct stadium subsidies, where I think we’ve made that very clear in our interactions with the Bears, I think that’s a fair conclusion for folks to come to, but I think that conversation is really more of a listening conversation,” he said.

Consider what Joe Ricketts did after he purchased the Cubs. In order to maximize every possible revenue stream (for himself), he started purchasing surrounding properties like a modern day land baron. Clever. Forget the views from the park to the surrounding neighborhood and block the historic views from inside the park. Build some ugly, enormous scoreboards that insulted fans of the historic Wrigley Field. No it is no longer enough to stare at the ivy. The eye goes up from there.

The White Sox do not own the Rate or the surrounding property. The additional revenue stream from parking (via the ISFA) filled a void in revenue for a while, but it was not enough. The WSox did not build an entertainment district around the park probably because they did not/do not own the land. Clearly a short-sighted view. Of course that could be reconsidered with a possible new Stadium in Armor Park, but too many hoops for Ishbia to want to go through. Much easier for him to buy the RR sites and leave the ISFA and taxpayers holding the bag for the historic site on 35th.

Ishbia knows all about what Ricketts did - Glomb on the to the revenue streams from a surrounding entertainment district by owning those properties for himself. Restrict stadium views with revenue producing scoreboards, charge premium prices for parking and tickets. Billionaire megalomania, greed and avarice. That is what everyone should expect. You think Jerry is cheap? Be careful what you wish for and watch your wallet.

Edited May 27May 27 by tray

37 minutes ago, tray said:

Consider what Joe Ricketts did after he purchased the Cubs. In order to maximize every possible revenue stream (for himself), he started purchasing surrounding properties like a modern day land baron. Clever. Forget the views from the park to the surrounding neighborhood and block the historic views from inside the park. Build some ugly, enormous scoreboards that insulted fans of the historic Wrigley Field. No it is no longer enough to stare at the ivy. The eye goes up from there.

The White Sox do not own the Rate or the surrounding property. The additional revenue stream from parking (via the ISFA) filled a void in revenue for a while, but it was not enough. The WSox did not build an entertainment district around the park probably because they did not/do not own the land. Clearly a short-sighted view. Of course that could be reconsidered with a possible new Stadium in Armor Park, but too many hoops for Ishbia to want to go through. Much easier for him to buy the RR sites and leave the ISFA and taxpayers holding the bag for the historic site on 35th.

Ishbia knows all about what Ricketts did - Glomb on the to the revenue streams from a surrounding entertainment district by owning those properties for himself. Restrict stadium views with revenue producing scoreboards, charge premium prices for parking and tickets. Billionaire megalomania, greed and avarice. That is what everyone should expect. You think Jerry is cheap? Be careful what you wish for and watch your wallet.

Of course anything is possible but the facts show that as owner of the Suns he and his brother spent a lot of money in an effort to win.

It didn't work out but that doesn't negate the fact they tried.

And personally I'd welcome Mr. Applegate or anybody else as opposed to JR given what he's done to the franchise and the fan base since 2007.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2026/05/29/state-rep-kam-buckner-bears-stadium-megaprojects-bill-arlington-heights-northwest-indiana-illinois-general-assembly

Here's another option for Tray JR Ishbia

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sacramento-officials-reveal-campaign-mlb-233418118.html

54 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2026/05/29/state-rep-kam-buckner-bears-stadium-megaprojects-bill-arlington-heights-northwest-indiana-illinois-general-assembly

Providing for infrastructure improvements around the Museum Campus and Solider Field to address the terrible traffic there could be one way to get Chicago lawmakers on board to pass this. I guess we'll see in the next 2 days. Crazier things have happened.

Mayor Johnson IMO has been a lousy mayor, but I'll give him credit for doing a great job in derailing action on this bill with his comments that the Bears were in talks with the city to stay in Chicago. I think the suggestion that there were such talks with the team in the last few months to stay in Chicago are total bullshit, but mission accomplished. But if this fails, I think the ultimate blame falls on George McCaskey and Kevin Warren. Where has McCaskey been during this entire effort? Why isn't he out there making the case for why this would be good for Illinois? If this fails, good luck George on that new dome that IN taxpayers will build for you on slag heaps.

Even if they get this passed, there's still the matter of infrastructure funding to address. Weren't the Bears supposed to have submitted a traffic study? What's the status of that?

Edited Friday at 10:39 PM4 days by 77 Hitmen

Time to revisit Architect Bess vision for Armor Field and work off some of his concepts.

A great Article on that:

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/the-white-sox-ballpark-in-chicago-that-never-was-and-could-have-changed-history/

Everything is still there to do it. Swap Parking Lot "L" with the Chicago Park District for Armor Square Park.

Edited Friday at 11:15 PM4 days by tray

30 minutes ago, tray said:

Time to revisit Architect Bess vision for Armor Field and work off some of his concepts.

A great Article on that:

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/the-white-sox-ballpark-in-chicago-that-never-was-and-could-have-changed-history/

Everything is still there to do it. Swap Parking Lot "L" with the Chicago Park District for Armor Square Park.

Armour?

Today is the last day of the IL legislature spring session. It looks like the megaprojects bill, even a scaled down one, has little chance of passing. In an interesting turn of events, lawmakers are scrambling to put together some sort of "stadium authority" to make the Bears stadium publicly owned and exempt from property taxes. Whaaaatttt????

New stadium authority proposal reshapes Bears debate

Lawmakers are racing to craft an alternative after Senate leaders signal the team's favored tax-break proposal lacks support.

from the article:

"It’s unclear what would happen to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which owns the Chicago White Sox home at Rate Field and issued the bonds to renovate Soldier Field, owned by the Chicago Park District. The ISFA’s bonds are backed by $5 million payments from both the state and Chicago and a 2% tax on hotel stays in Chicago."

and:

"It’s unclear how that would play out and whether public tax dollars would be involved in subsidizing a stadium, something Gov. JB Pritzker has previously said was a non-starter when the Bears and Chicago rolled out a plan to have ISFA back $900 million in bonds for a $3.2 billion stadium on the lakefront."

https://chicago.suntimes.com/springfield/2026/05/30/bears-stadium-bill-illinois-budget-deadline

Move the Bears to the 78.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-stadium/2026/05/31/bears-stadium-bill-springfield-arlington-heights-hammond-indiana

1 hour ago, tray said:

Move the Bears to the 78.

The White Sox don't want to be in Bridgeport.

Updated version of the Crain's article I previously posted on the last-ditch "stadium authority" proposal. The Ishbia Amtrak Sox stadium proposal is mentioned in the article.

Lawmakers map a new route to keep Bears in Illinois

Illinois lawmakers are abandoning the Chicago Bears’ long-sought property tax break in favor of a new stadium authority model that could reopen competition between Chicago and Arlington Heights.

Excerpts from the article:

"The bill creates a structure allowing municipalities in Cook County over 70,000 people to set up their own stadium authority that could take ownership of a stadium site, allowing the location to be exempt from property taxes. The exemption would narrowly apply to the stadium parcels, not a surrounding entertainment district like the Bears have proposed in Arlington Heights."

"The public benefit agreement opens up the possibility local taxing districts could push for an annual payment from the Bears."

"The bill approved new incentives aimed at Chicago projects, including the long-stalled One Central and Michael Reese developments and future Chicago White Sox owner Justin Ishbia’s plans for Amtrak’s 14th St. railyard."

1 hour ago, 77 Hitmen said:

Updated version of the Crain's article I previously posted on the last-ditch "stadium authority" proposal. The Ishbia Amtrak Sox stadium proposal is mentioned in the article.

Lawmakers map a new route to keep Bears in Illinois

Illinois lawmakers are abandoning the Chicago Bears’ long-sought property tax break in favor of a new stadium authority model that could reopen competition between Chicago and Arlington Heights.

Excerpts from the article:

"The bill creates a structure allowing municipalities in Cook County over 70,000 people to set up their own stadium authority that could take ownership of a stadium site, allowing the location to be exempt from property taxes. The exemption would narrowly apply to the stadium parcels, not a surrounding entertainment district like the Bears have proposed in Arlington Heights."

"The public benefit agreement opens up the possibility local taxing districts could push for an annual payment from the Bears."

"The bill approved new incentives aimed at Chicago projects, including the long-stalled One Central and Michael Reese developments and future Chicago White Sox owner Justin Ishbia’s plans for Amtrak’s 14th St. railyard."

What stadium proposal? Building the stadium in back of the soccer stadium and walking over the RR bridge to get there? Beyond impractical and probably unrealistic. Anyway, Ishbia is just fishing for ideas to maximize his profits, all while he doesn't currently own a controlling share of the White Sox and , as far as I know, has not closed on the Contract for the Amtrak yard. Who knows, maybe he will buck out like he did with his ownership interest in the Twins. It depends on what deal might enrich him the most...or not.

I choose to focus on the here and now - the very likable and exciting 2026 White Sox which he has nothing to do with.

Anyway, White Sox aren't going anywhere for a long time. Relax, strap it down, and watch baseball.

Bright Side Of The Sun

The Suns and Mercury double down on their promise to make...

Ishbia continues to make basketball free and fans across Arizona are the ones who benefit.

Reinsdorf giving away games for free for seven years (2023 through 2030) to fans like Ishbia?

That lasted about a month with the CHSN bunny ears antennaes before capitulating to inclusion in the highest Comcast pricing tier.

Ishbia's goal has been to reshape the fan experience in Phoenix, now adding tacos and ice cream sandwiches to a menu that already includes hot dogs, chips, popcorn, fountain soda and bottled water for just $2 each. The initiative has made the Suns' offerings among the most affordable concession options in the NBA.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/phoenix-suns-owner-mat-ishbia-174124520.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiYg92_1OWUAxXJlSsGHX8sFU0QFnoECBoQAw&usg=AOvVaw0T0BT58_M1ACirmHXpeYe-

Suns owner Mat Ishbia recently announced that concessions will take a steep discount for all home games: Hot dog: $9 —> $2 16 oz Dasani water $8.50 —> $2 16 ox fountain soda $8.50 —> $2 Bag of chips $7 —> $2 Bag of popcorn $7 —> $2 According to Ishbia, he wanted to make food more affordable for families who don't want to pay outrageous concession prices.

Adding superstars in Durant and Beal to go along with Booker.

Completely transforming the team this year around an ethos of hard work/defense/togetherness/scrappy play and hustling for loose balls when the three superstars approach failed.

Always prioritizing/optimizing the fan experience...

What a total jerk!!!

Edited Monday at 09:02 AM1 day by caulfield12

Hello everyone, long time lurker, first time poster. Have we noted the fact that the Amtrak yard would put the stadium across the border from the 3rd Ward of Alderwoman Dowell, who said she would oppose a second sports facility on the 78.

Anyway as to the development of these sites: "Make no small plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood"