Northwestern, Cubs Announce Wrigley Partnership

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Feb 5, 2013 8:40PM

On Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs and Northwestern University announced a historic multi-year event and reciprocal marketing partnership that will see a number of Wildcats teams take the field at Wrigley in coming years.

Highlighting the announcement is obviously the return of Northwestern football to the Friendly Confines. The Wildcats hosted the Fighting Illini at Wrigley Field in 2010. Of course, many remember that game for the decision to play in one direction after the outfield wall was deemed too close to the back of the end zone. So while the agreement includes at least five future football games, they won't be played until stadium renovations allow for reconfiguration of the field to accommodate football safely.

As many as 19 varsity teams may take the field at Wrigley as part of the deal, although only a baseball game against Michigan on April 20 is scheduled officially. A women's lacrosse match against Notre Dame is tentatively scheduled, too.

In addition to their teams taking to the field at Wrigley, Northwestern will be able to establish an ongoing marketing presence in the famed park. The Cubs will market in Northwestern's sports facilities like Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena and enjoy a pipeline of interns from the Big Ten school. While no financial considerations were mentioned with regard to today's announcement, we can't help but believe that the move was initiated as part of the Ricketts' plan to help fund the Wrigley rehab plans.