Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney said the club "absolutely" intends to begin hosting an annual bowl game at Wrigley Field, according to Teddy Greenstein of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The bowl "would be the first of its kind in the Chicago area." Kenney: "Concerts that may not sell out elsewhere sell out at Wrigley. It's because of the ballpark, Wrigleyville, Chicago, the history. It gives us confidence that a bowl game will succeed here." Greenstein notes events at Wrigley Field "draw a ton of eyeballs." The Cubs also "will need up to two years to align with conferences, find a title sponsor and secure a broadcast partner." Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said the net "would be open to exploring televising a bowl game in Chicago." Kenney said that dugouts "will be moved closer to the foul poles" before the '18 season, "allowing for ample space." Bowls "need to be certified by the NCAA." Football Bowl Association Exec Dir Wright Waters said that there is a "moratorium on discussions" until '19. Meanwhile, Kenney said that football "will return to Wrigley" in November '20, with Northwestern "hosting multiple Big Ten games the team's 'first priority'" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/6). Kenney said, "What we're learning, not just from the Pinstripe Bowl but from the Super Bowl played in the Meadowlands, is that weather isn't the sole factor. The attractiveness of the destination is a factor." In Chicago, Fran Spielman notes college football has "played to empty seats at Soldier Field and Guaranteed Rate Field." However, Kenney said that he is "certain that Wrigley would break the mold because it already has," hosting Northwestern-Illinois in '10. Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney, whose ward includes Wrigley, was "all for the idea of regular football games and even an annual bowl game" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/6).
