I guess I could write 10,000 words getting into this but Thompson's law firm "Winston and Strawn" repping Blago and now Blaggo owing them $500K, all this while Thompson trying to buy Wrigley for the state? and I am sure the Reinsdorf ALS will defend their boy here, so lets be very clear who was representing the pseudo "Non government" Illinois Sports Facility Ripoff Authority, thats Jim Thompson and I can promise you dont get that position by sending in your application for a MONSTER.com ad!

So I have every detail of this? nope, but as they say if it looks like it and smeils like it, it probably is.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Dead on post BF. The whole deal reeks...and I believe the "cover" has been pulled back to reveal the backroom glad-handing that was going on.

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Proud to be UNVERIFIED.

What do Blago's crimes have to do with Reinsdorf? Were Sox season tickets a perk in getting that senate seat or something?

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Frank (and any other Sox fans)

The ISFA is the "annually appointed" group that runs Comiskular. As I have pointed out for years, the real person that runs this group is Jerry Reinsdorf, regardless of who is in the seat every year. This is a great example of just passing out favors as they are appointed by the Mayor and Governor. Not sure what they get paid, but they cant do much for it besdies the annually requested Sox improvements as they dont have any other facility. I know this group goes out of its way to tell the world it is "independent" of the State of Illinois, but that's the same story the Cubs used for telling me their ticket brokerage was not part of their company?

Thus when the ISFA approaches Sam Zell to buy Wrigley, I dont need a Sun Times writer or any investigation to tell me who initiated the purchase and how it will work. It's Reinsdorf's idea and plan. He does not actively participate in the transaction, but he is way too close to all parties (Zell and Thompson) in this mess to not be a part of it.

I am not telling you he did anything legally wrong, as I do not think he did, but as I have said Jerry is always quick to "Help" the State of Ill, taxpayers when he might get something. As we (State Taxpayers) never got in on that United Center deal that somehow gets every show, every concert, every event...when was the last major event at Comiskualr to make some money for the State?

So what is Jerry getting from the sale of Wrigley? How about a team that now needs to dedicate a larger % of their spending to "RENT"? and I am just going to guess it will not even be as close to the sweet deal The Sox pay?

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

I understand the ISFA. You've outlined that for us once or twice before here I think

So the Gov appoints them...my previous question still stands however.

The Cell does not host events because its outdoors, can't have the circus or Disney on ice outside in January. Most bands are not going to sell 40,000+ tickets for a concert.

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1. I know who officially appoints, but I am sure you will agree the person the Governor/Mayor appoints to this group is approved by Reinsdorf? There are 5 appointed. I think it is 2 by Mayor 3 by Gov. I assure you that everyone ever on that board knows Jerry Reinsdorf well.

2. So while someone elses name is always on the door, we know who runs the ISFA.

Maybe it would change if they got Wrigley, but as far as I am concerned it is Reinsdorf who runs the ISFA until they get some other responsibility other than Comsikular.

I am not expectiing Disney, but how about a Concert in the summer while the Sox are on a 4 or 5 day road trip? I think they had the Stones in year 2 and that was it? Maybe it would be something the Sox would not love, but once again, it is not their stadium. Look at what happens with the Bears at Soldier Field. Regardless, this part was not my point of Reinsdorf's involvment in the Wrigley thing. Yet, it was one of Reinsdorf's major reasons though that would help the State make money on this deal, when in reality they have brought in very little money.

I do know this, Reinsdorf probably wont help anyone push this deal along now. He gave them the blueprint and the connections, I dont even see him willing to take a call to discuss it. Literally. With all this shit going down.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

bigfan, I'm with you in the sense that if the Cell pulls in $0.00 for the state its bullshit. But you aren't going to get concerts or anything there. Its just not practical.

My original question still stands however. Uncle Jerry may know the Gov and work with him pretty closely, but I find it hard to believe you can tie a sports owner into the corruption charges Blago faces.

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Why is Wrigley more practical? There's no parking.... is it the neighborhood?

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Wrigley isn't very practical either. And as such, has only hosted a mere handful of non-baseball related events, and those were all very recently.

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Right but they're becoming more and more frequent. I don't see any reason why they can't do this at the Cell. Hell, they do concerts at Soldier Field, why not the cell???

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I saw Springsteen at the Cell a few years ago (and it fucking ROCKED!)

Let me be clear, Reinsdorf had nothing to do with Blago and the Senate seat charges. However, his part in the structuring the players and plans for the state to buy Wrigley is the issue. I am sure Jerry would love nothing more than to see Wrigley owned by a third party and thus limiting income to the team as they would have to pay much more in rent than the current scenario.

Where it all connects is Blago's past relationship with Winston and Strawn (Gov. Thompson). You owe a guy $500K and he "needed" your help to buy Wrigley, yes, I have an issue on how this all went down. Notice how quiet this got "again".

Reinsdorf was like the team that got the "buy" in the playoffs and he just tried to help the team who he wanted to play win. Nothing illegal, I just dont think it is right.

For my quick and ongoing rant

The constant money poured into this place is a joke. Nov 15th,2008 another $15 million for re-doing gate 5 at Comiskuar????

Per the 2007 report, $4.4 Million from the Sox as revenue, with $36 M in revenue from City Hotel Taxes and my favorite $26,000 in Special Events Revenue!

Basically the City of Chicago Excise Hotel Tax supports the Sox. So when I have to paid increases in fees, taxes and fines for the city because they dont have enough money, yet I see $36M go out the door to the Sox who have about a $500 Million unrealized Capital Gain, yes I have an issue and anyone with a brain should have one as well.

Your welcome.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Great posts on this topic as always, bigfan. I've learned a lot.

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Can I say that I would not do everything Reinsdorf does or has done if I was in that position? Probably not, but that does not make it right.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

US Cellular foots the bill for the remodeling that goes on at the Cell. Thats probably the only place he's wrong on this topic.

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Still? I thought they paid a lump sum up front, which all went into the five-phase development starting in 2003, I think it was. Would U.S. Cellular then be on the hook for future renovations?

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The US Cellular contract was signed for $68 million over 20 years, or $3.4 million per year. There was some up front money. I can't remember how much. The $68 million is to be used for stadium renovations though.

Still, "Big Jim" runs everything. He was just never caught. As for Reinsdorf, I keep my eyes on what he does in baseball.

I'd suspect he'd like to limit the earning engine that is Wrigley, and fill more seats at Comiskey. He'd be better off working on the neighborhood around there. Or have the L train have a direct rampway to the Cell.

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Middle Aged Crazy, like Uncle Terry

Now that is truely a waste of Taxpayer $. It is positively no more than say 100ft further of a walk from the Red Line 35th stop to the Ballpark gate than it is from Addison to Wrigley. And with the ramp on the northside of 35th St, you don't even need to cross 35th to enter the park.

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Beebo doesn't want to be stopped by the people from the "community"....

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Who cares about any of that? Youse guys have the world's best concession stands!

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