If getting pummeled 13-1 by the Tigers wasn’t provocation enough, the angst over the White Sox’s future has only grown exponentially.
The Chicago Fire announced plans to build a new soccer stadium on the South Loop’s land plot known as The 78, which is where the Sox also considered migrating (to the degree of laying down a diamond, complete with grass infield). Contingent on city approval, the Fire are expected to settle into their new home by Spring 2028.
Why might the Fire succeed where others have failed? The start and end of it is that Fire owner Joe Mansueto pledges not to take a dime of public money in building his stadium. Thus, the MLS team’s $650 million, privately-funded project leapfrogs them ahead of the Sox and Bears’ tried and true efforts to relocate on the public’s dime.
Although nothing has been announced, the Fire’s new stadium proposal almost certainly thwarts any Sox chances of also moving to The 78. While there’s enough room for two stadiums and a mixed-use district that would feature housing, top-tier shopping and dining, outdoor spaces, and other community-building enrichments, it’s doubtful that the Sox will cohabitate with the Fire — and certainly not on Jerry Reinsdorf’s dime! The Sox’s stadium bid was last quoted at around $2 billion, which would require at least $1 billion in public funding. Knowing that Reinsdorf is barely willing to spend $200 million on the players themselves (dating back to the brief time the Sox were in “winning mode”), Sox fans will see pigs fly sooner than he’ll pony up the remaining $1 billion for a new stadium.
Once again, the Sox are on the cusp of losing out on another opportunity that would improve the team and attract fans. Although Sox fans would rather cheer for a new team than adopt a Wrigleyville-esque mall culture, entertainment districts are the biggest trend in sports, one that every team building a new stadium is embracing. Having a more accessible ballpark that’s close to the Roosevelt CTA stop (serving the Red, Green, and Orange lines) would significantly boost the stadium’s traffic and revenue. And more revenue (should) equate to a higher team payroll and better baseball.
Even if the Sox miraculously find the funding and get approved to move to The 78, we all know Reinsdorf will pocket the extra money instead of investing it back into the team. Sigh, the daydream was fun while it lasted.
Given the Fire’s latest news and the weird politics surrounding Justin and Mat Ishbia’s control over the organization, Sox fans will have to sit back and watch their team play second-, third-, fourth-, and maybe even fifth-fiddle to the rest of Chicago’s sports teams (let’s see if Jeff Blashill can turn the Blackhawks around).