Cubs call lawsuit by rooftop owners 'extraordinary, drastic'
The Chicago Cubs have responded to a lawsuit by rooftop owners near Wrigley Field, calling it "extraordinary and drastic," the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Last week, a pair of businesses that overlook Wrigley filed a motion to halt the installation of a new scoreboard and advertising signs that would block their views.
On Tuesday, the Cubs said the businesses were given ample time to prepare for changes to the iconic stadium.
“Plaintiffs admit they knew all about a claimed ‘obstruction’ for two years before construction began. They sat and waited, yet now claim emergency,” according to the motion.
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The owners of Lakeview Baseball Club and Skybox at Sheffield sued the Cubs and owner Tom Ricketts last month, claiming that the team broke their agreement of a 20-year sharing contract and accused them of fixing ticket prices and violating the federal Sherman Antitrust Act.
The plaintiffs say the Cubs' actions have created a "life-or-death situation," claiming their businesses will suffer if the Wrigley changes proceed.
"Simply put, without views into Wrigley Field there is no rooftop business — a fact that the Cubs organization has frequently pointed out while trying to strong-arm the plaintiffs and others into selling out," the lawsuit states.
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The group suing the Cubs wants a judge to hear the case next week. The Cubs are in the process of a $375 million renovation, which includes rebuilding the bleachers, installing a new video board in left field and placing six advertising signs around the stadium.
The team has already said that the bleachers will not be installed in time for the season opener on April 5.
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