In Chicago, Fran Spielman writes Cubs fans would "prefer to be watching their beloved team going deep into the playoffs," but team officials are "hoping to offer them the next best thing: a baseball movie in the park." During a Thursday City Council meeting, Alderman Tom Tunney "introduced an Oct. 1 exception to the ordinance that puts a 30-game ceiling on the number of night games at Wrigley to allow for the first-ever movie night" at Wrigley. Cubs General Counsel & Exec VP/Community Affairs Mike Lufrano said, "We're thinking about ways to help keep Wrigley Field alive. ... This would be a chance to come to an evening on the field, probably with free popcorn, and experience Wrigley Field in a different way." He added that the Cubs "have not yet chosen the movie, nor have they determined how much to charge or where to position multiple movie screens." But Lufrano said that the fee "would be 'small' and that the real money would come from attracting a corporate sponsor" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/9).
REIN IT IN: In London, Matthew Beard reports LOCOG officials have been "told to cut capacity by 25,000 at an equestrian event or risk transport chaos." Transport for London has "warned of queues of more than two hours for spectators travelling by rail to Greenwich Park for the cross-country horse riding event," scheduled for July 30 during the '12 Games. LOCOG "faces losing more than £1 million in ticket revenues if it has to comply with TfL's advice to cut the official capacity from 75,000 to 50,000" (THISISLONDON.co.uk, 9/9).
WIDE OPEN SPACES: In Louisville, Kyle Tucker reported Lexington city leaders, Univ. of Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart and architect Gary Bates, who is designing a downtown entertainment district for the city, "had the same message Wednesday about the future of Rupp Arena: 'All options are still on the table.'" Bates said that he will "have a clearer picture of the plan in 1-2 months and hopes to have an initial design completed by the end of January." Until then, it remains "unclear whether Rupp Arena will be renovated or a new arena will replace it" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 9/8).
FAN FAVORITE: The Ravens and Aramark, the team's concessionaire, are asking fans to select one of two new sandwiches to feature on M&T Bank Stadium's menu this season. The first finalist, "Baltimore Dip," offers shaved prime rib with aged cheddar cheese, roasted pepper relish, horseradish sauce and crab dip au jus. The "Pigskin" sandwich includes slow roasted pork in a mango and jalapeno glaze, topped with red cabbage slaw, roasted garlic mojo and manchego cheese. Fans can vote for their favorite at www.RavensSandwich.com, and the winner -- determined by total sandwiches sold and online votes -- will be announced prior to the Ravens' Nov. 24 game against the 49ers (Ravens).
