Apparently, the Ricketts family isn't as rich as we thought they were. The family has asked the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority for $300 million in bonds to renovate Wrigley Field. These bonds would be paid for with the amusement tax, which fans already pay for the privilege of watching the Cubs suck it up every year. I have to say, this move requires some pretty big brass (gold?) cajones.

Illinois is in a deep financial hole and these wealthy cocksuckers have the temerity to request the state fork over more money to help them renovate Wrigley, which really should be torn down at this point anyway. The Ricketts have already made the decision to outsource the Cubs' media ventures, such as the Vineline magazine, to some company in Ohio. Now after sending jobs out of state, they're requesting money from that same state? I hope to God that the Illinois General Assembly, who must approve the plan, tells them to take a flying fuck at a rolling donut.

I guess what I find really annoying is that these people had to have been aware of Wrigley's condition when they purchased the team. "One ancient MLB stadium with mediocre ballclub-sold as is". The Ricketts family wanted to roll with the big boys. If they didn't have the capital to fix the ballpark, they shouldn't have bought the team in the first place. When searching for owners for their franchises, Selig and MLB claim that they want responsible owners who won't diminish the brand. Yet Jeff Loria is allowed to own a franchise. What the Ricketts want from the state of Illinois smacks of Lorian arrogance and greed, but Mark Cuban was unworthy of owning the Cubs?

I can only hope that the Ricketts don't plan to follow Loria's model in holding the state hostage by threatening to move the Cubs if Illinois doesn't agree to give them the money. I guess we're pretty much assured though that the product on the field still doesn't matter so long as the money keeps rolling in.