Basisphilosophie » the threat of lawsuits by the owners

CHICAGO -- The owners of the Chicago Cubs say theyre moving forward with plans to renovate and expand Wrigley Field, despite the threat of lawsuits by the owners of the adjacent rooftop venues overlooking the 100-year-old ballpark. Chairman Tom Ricketts, whose family owns the team on Chicagos North Side, said in a statement released Thursday that the Cubs will submit a revised expansion plan to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks that includes the teams original proposal to add several outfield signs and additional bleacher seats. "Unfortunately, it seems like my familys plans for Wrigley Field have gotten lost in the dispute with the rooftops," he said. "As a result, despite having new city ordinances to allow for expansion and renovation at Wrigley Field, we are back to square one with the rooftop businesses." Ricketts said the teams negotiations with the owners of the adjacent rooftop venues are "back to square one" and that its time to move forward. A lawyer representing the rooftop owners said they would fight the move. "It appears their zeal to block rooftop owners who pay them millions of dollars a year in royalties knows no bounds," lawyer Ryan McLaughlin said in a statement. "Unfortunately, this decision by the Ricketts family will now result in this matter being resolved in a court of law." The City Council approved the Cubs $500 million renovation plan last summer, but it has been stalled by opposition from the owners of the 15 rooftop venues. They have a contract with Cubs that runs through 2023 requiring them to pay the team 17 per cent of their gross annual revenue. The rooftop owners fear the signs and additional seating will block their views of the field. The two sides appeared to be close to a deal before the Cubs annual fan convention last month when Ricketts made some remarks that the neighbours considered disparaging. Ricketts revised expansion plan requires Landmark Commission approval for additional seating, new lighting, four additional LED signs of up to 650 square feet, and a 2,400-square-foot video board in right field. Other changes sought by the Cubs that dont require commission approval include: design modification to the player facilities, including expanding the Cubs clubhouse; expansion of the visitors clubhouse; movement of the bullpen to an area under the bleachers; and a reduction in the size of a left field video board already approved by the city. "I know this plan is in the best interest of our fans and our players," Ricketts said in a video posted on the teams website. "We hope to avoid heading to the courthouse. But the most important thing is we want to exercise our right to expand and preserve the ballpark we own and love." The Cubs have invested in facilities and their farm system, and the team this year opened a new facility funded by taxpayers in Mesa, Arizona. Ricketts has acknowledged some difficulties stemming from the $845 million purchase of the team from Tribune Co. that left the Ricketts family with a debt load. But he pointed out Thursday that the team hasnt sought city or state economic development money he says is routinely obtained for projects such as this. "We want to exercise our right to improve Wrigley Field," he said. Cheap Jordans . PETERSBURG, Fla. Wholesale Air Jordan From China . Ghoulam has put pen to paper on a four and a half year deal, tying him to Napoli until 2018. The 22-year-old Algeria international, who played for France at Under 21 level, has made 87 league appearances in four seasons at Saint-Etienne. http://www.wholesaleairjordanfromchina.com/. Vonn flew back to Vail, Colo., last week after hurting her surgically repaired right knee at a downhill race in France. "Her knee was swollen again after Val dIsere," U.S. womens head coach Alex Hoedlmoser told The Associated Press. Cheap Jordan From China . With Van Osch out with a flu bug that has been rampaging through the tournament, Knezevic stepped in to lead B.C. (4-3) to a pair of victories on Tuesday before 1,131 at the Maurice Richard Arena.Danny Koevermans has officially retired. The former Toronto FC designated player played three of his 15 professional seasons with the team. He scored 17 goals in 30 games in Toronto. Koevermans, 35, played for Sparta Rottterdam, AZ, and PSV in his native Netherlands before coming to Toronto, and finished his career with FC Utrecht.dddddddddddd Koevermans also spent time with Netherlands in international competition. ' ' '