Mighty Wind: NHL Formally Announces Winter Classic At Wrigley
 |
Bettman And Blackhawks Chair
Rocky Wirtz At Wrigley Field |
The NHL yesterday at a press conference formally announced the January 1 Red Wings-Blackhawks Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, putting up makeshift boards in the outfield of the ballpark to "give an indication of what it will look like" for the game, according to Len Ziehm of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. It is unknown where the rink will be situated on the field, but NHL officials "gave Wrigley a more studious look" after the presser, and "architectural design firms also will provide input." The NHL has "more details to iron out than the configuration of the stadium." NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, "We'll be announcing lots of sponsors and ticket-selling plans, but we're ahead of last year. We didn't announce then until September" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/23). In Illinois, Tim Sassone reports the NHL will handle all details regarding tickets, but Bettman yesterday "wasn't ready to disclose pricing or availability." Bettman: "The best way, and at this time the demand has been great, is I would strongly encourage them to be full-season ticket holders. That's the fastest way to ensure them attending this game." Bettman "understands Wrigley Field might not be the perfect venue for hockey but that the North Side is where the league wanted to be with its small 41,000-seat capacity." Yesterday's mock rink stretched from "shallow left field to shallow right field," but Cubs Chair Crane Kenney said that the "configuration could change." Kenney "expressed no concerns that the portable rink brought in by the NHL would damage Wrigley's new playing surface." Kenney: "It's only a certain portion of the field. We won't be putting up any bleachers or anything like that" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 7/23).
BIG GAME, BIG MARKET: Bettman said of selecting a location for this season's Winter Classic, "There was a lot of discussion about Yankee Stadium. But the logistics with the (new) construction going on (across the street) just made it unworkable. We were very comfortable that we certainly had a great alternative coming (to Wrigley)" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/23). REUTERS' Ben Klayman
writes following the success of last season's Penguins-Sabres Amp Energy Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium, "numerous cities had expressed interest in hosting the event." But analysts believed that the NHL "favored a major market as a way to better publicise" the league. NHL officials are "confident the game ... will help the league become more popular" (REUTERS, 7/22).
TOUGH TICKET: Comcast SportsNet Chicago’s David Kaplan said of the outdoor game, “I talked to a ticket broker who said to me it will be the toughest ticket to get for any regular season event in his lifetime in the city of Chicago.” However, the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Pompei said, “The sight lines are going to be difficult.” The Chicago Tribune’s Bob Foltman added, “I’m not sure you’re going to get your bang for what the buck is going to be for those tickets. … If you’re sitting behind home plate or in the upper deck or even in the bleachers, you’re going to have a hard time (seeing the game)” (“Chicago Tribune Live,” CSN, 7/22).
HOME TEAM PRIDE: Cook County (IL) Commissioner Mike Quigley yesterday "put together an official resolution" celebrating the Winter Classic, and in red capital letters in the last line of the resolution spelled out "DETROIT SUCKS." Quigley's resolution indicates January 1 will be "Chicago Blackhawks Day" in Cook County, and declares Wrigley and the surrounding neighborhoods an "Octopus Free Zone" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/23).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Blackhawks' John McDonough Profiled
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Bettman Sits For Q&A With Maclean's
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Wild Have Held Winter Classic Talks
November 17, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Hargrove Discusses Ongoing NHLPA Saga
November 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NHL Reinstates Ducks Owner Henry Samueli
November 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Filings Show Coyotes Lost $5M In Oct.
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Canucks Criticized For Getting H1N1 Vaccine
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Panthers Hold Promo For Rink Naming Rights
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Ticket Package Offered For Flyers, 76ers
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Blackhawks' John McDonough Profiled
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
