A federal judge Thursday "denied a request by two nearby rooftop businesses for the Cubs to stop installation of their right-field video board" at Wrigley Field, which "could mean an end to the acrimonious dispute between the team and Skybox on Sheffield and Lakeview Baseball Club," according to Jared Hopkins of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The Cubs this week said that the videoboard "won't be done until July, but the ruling avoids another setback" for the team's $375M overhaul of the ballpark. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall said that the businesses "had not proven the Cubs violated the terms of its decade-old revenue-sharing agreement or that the video board would result in them going belly up." She also found that "allegations that the Cubs engaged in a monopoly faltered" because of MLB's anti-trust exemption. The lawsuit "didn't include other rooftop businesses whose bird's-eye views may be blocked by any signs or the video board in left field" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/3). In Chicago, Kim Janssen notes the ruling "likely represents a decisive turning point in the Cubs’ long, bitter and very public battle with the rooftop owners" over Wrigley Field's redevelopment. Kendall sided with the Cubs "on every major issue in the case," including that the rooftop owners "took too long to seek an injunction" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/3).
WRAP IT UP, I'LL TAKE IT: The Cubs on Thursday announced a pair of sponsorship deals, including one with Illinois-based Reynolds Consumer Products to promote its Reynolds and Hefty brands during the '15 season. The Wrigley Field rain tarp will have a new silver color and feature both the Reynolds Wrap and Cubs logos. Also, the Budweiser Bleachers at the ballpark will now feature Hefty Crack-Resistant Cups. The deal officially launches with Sunday's home opener. Meanwhile, the Cubs and Chicago-based Nuveen Investments announced an extension of their long-term partnership, which began in '05. Nuveen will continue to sponsor the Nuveen Investments Suite Level, and the company will be featured with signage behind the visitors' on-deck area, exposure on the new left field videoboard and other in-park signage (THE DAILY).
