The “sweet deal Jerry Reinsdorf has at U.S. Cellular Field is prompting the state agency that runs the ballpark to re-examine its lease agreement, which requires the White Sox owner to pay $1.5 million annually in rent while keeping all proceeds from ticket sales, parking, concessions and his growing merchandise operations,” according to Shia Kapos of CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS. Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Chair Emil Jones, whose company oversees Cellular Field and Soldier Field, said, “If you compare (lease terms) to other sports stadiums around the country, the Sox pay the lowest rent of all the facilities.” He added, “It's something we'll be looking at." Plans to re-evaluate the contract come as Reinsdorf “prepares to open a retail shop across from the South Side ballpark on state-owned property.” Kapos noted the lease agreement came about when James Thompson was governor of Illinois, and “the additions to the agreement -- the retail shop and restaurant -- were added when” Thompson was ISFA Chair (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 10/25).
