Ricketts On Defensive Over Toyota Ad At Wrigley

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Mar 25, 2010 9:00PM

A rendering of the proposed Toyota sign at Wrigley Field; Photo courtesy the Cubs, via the Tribune

New Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has gone on the defensive over the proposed Toyota ad at Wrigley Field and suggestions the City will shoot down the idea. Speaking to the City Club of Chicago, Ricketts said, "It doesn't affect anyone looking in. I can't imagine this isn't something we can work on." The proposed sign, a lighted, 16-by-22 foot Toyota logo, would extend from the left field bleachers and only partially obscure the Horseshoe Casino rooftop ad, not affecting any rooftop seats. Even once the deal is done, though, the team will need approval from the city's Department of Zoning and Land-use Planning and Commission on Chicago Landmarks. But Ricketts at least had a sense of humor about it the ordeal.

[Event emcee Paul] Green asked whether Ricketts had read Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin's Sunday column blasting the proposed sign as "a really bad idea" and "out of tune" with Wrigley Field.

"Blair's my neighbor," said Ricketts, who lives in Wilmette. "I read it. I don't agree. And I told my wife, ‘I'm going to go over and tell Blair I don't like his new copper gutters.'"