The "icy relationship" between Wrigley Field rooftop clubs and Cubs ownership "may be thawing and could see a number of the rooftop buildings sold to the Ricketts family," according to David Kaplan of CSNCHICAGO.com. Sources said that over the past few days, negotiations have been "going on between the Cubs and several owners of rooftop buildings." Negotiations "had been superficial" since the Ricketts family purchased the team in '09, but "heated up recently after the renovation plan received final approval from the City of Chicago." A source said that negotiations have "taken on a much friendlier spirit with both sides trying to find a common ground that helps the Ricketts family address their renovation and signage needs, eliminates the threat of litigation for potentially blocking some rooftop views into the ballpark and provides a financial deal that the rooftop owners can find acceptable." The source said, "Things have gotten much better. The Ricketts family has been amazingly fair, and [Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts] has been a man of his word throughout these latest discussions. ... I believe that a deal will get done before Opening Day." Another source said that a handful of rooftop owners are "not dealing from the strongest financial position and are looking to get out from under heavy financial pressure that came about from a number of factors" (CSNCHICAGO.com, 10/22).
