I’ve gotten three rather panicked emails today from some of my Cubs fan-brethren. Apparently, the rumors in the treetops in Chicago are that if Wrigley Field is sold to the Illinois Sports Facilities Athority, which many seem to think is a forgone conclusion, they would have some rather interesting plans.

Buying the stadium would be financed exclusively by selling bonds, so it’s not like anyone is really talking about using tax dollars for this thing… which is a big plus in my book, as someone who is always concerned with what governments (both the state and federal varieties) spend our money on. Buying ballparks shouldn’t be a priority, whether it’s Wrigley Field or not.

Anyway apparently according to the reports, the ISFA’s first action would be to close Wrigley Field for renovations… which would likely be paid for by selling naming rights, either for various pieces of the ballpark, or the whole darned thing.

I’m actually not worried at all about the naming rights thing… for two reasons: a) If that’s what it takes for them to win, so be it. b) Everyone would still call it Wrigley Field anyway. Besides, you could say the idea has already been tested, since the Cubs financed the bleacher renovation by selling the naming rights to the bleachers. If you didn’t notice that they are now called the “Bud Light Bleachers,” thank you for proving my point.

The only down side is that the Cubs would play for a year (2010 according to the dreaded unnamed sources) at US Cellular Field, while the crews did their business at Wrigley. Cubs fans wouldn’t even have to take a different EL to go to games, so I don’t think that would be much of an issue… my only real fear is that the Cubs might actually win the World Series that year, and rather than celebrating at Wrigley as we’ve all imagined for so many years, they would be at The Cell, and most people would probably then leave the park after the game to find that their cars had been broken into. The Cubs can solve half of that problem if they just go ahead and win it this year.

Other than that I am fine with the idea. While Wrigley is a great place to actually sit and watch a baseball game, anyone who has been to any other MLB stadiums (especially Chase Field and Miller Park, which are my favorites) can tell you that all of the ballpark amenities at Wrigley are woefully inadequate, and it’s past time for an upgrade. The Cubs have done a great job with their renovations over the past few years, and I see no reason why a full face lift wouldn’t come out just as well.

The Cubs just need to promise me two things: a) get rid of the ugly concrete facade on the Addison side of the ballpark. b) keep the troughs in the men’s restrooms. There’s nothing like peeing in a trough.

UPDATE: Apparently the completely unconfirmed rumor is coming from 670 The Score… surprise, surprise.

UPDATE 2: Sam Zell was on CNBC today to talk specifically about the Cubs sale.