Moments ago, the Chicago City Council approved – without any debate – the amendment to the Wrigley Field night game ordinance, which will allow the Cubs now to schedule 35 night games per season, with the possibility of 11 more night games per season where required by MLB’s national broadcast contract. The Cubs also get up to six late afternoon starts on Fridays, and an increase to four concerts per year. Previously, the Cubs were permitted just 30 night games, no late Friday starts, and three concerts. The Major League average is 54 night games.
We’ll wait to see what the final version of the amendment looked like – there was a little discontent by the Cubs on some of the precise details – but this is good news. You can see the gist of what this ordinance amendment means for the Cubs here. (UPDATE: Danny Ecker says the Cubs had to take their lumps on the three pieces about which they were annoyed (discussed in that “little discontent” link there). More on that later.)
The night game increase is happening. I know there’s so much build up to these things that the final approval feels hollow, but, yeah, this is it. It happened.
The Cubs get their night game increase, and this bodes well for the rest of the renovation approval process. The first piece is officially in place.