Quit Crying Already

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past month, you may have heard a thing or two about some green-eyed monster thinking about selling the naming rites of Wrigley Field to the highest bidder.

The backlash that has followed mega-millionaire Chicago Tribune, and Cubs owner Sam Zell's proposal to do so has been loud and clear.

Both die-hard and casual Cubs fans are outraged over the idea of changing the name outside the Ivy-Walls, citing its historical significance to the city and its emotional attachment to the team.

However, this David (fans) vs Goliath (Zell) tale will not end the way most will expect it to for 400 million reasons.

That's how much Zell could potentially make off a deal with an interested corporate sponsor looking to attach their logo to a stadium that is treated more like the city's most recognized tourist attraction, than a ballpark.

For a shrewd businessman that has no ties to a franchise that hasn't won a World Series in a century, the opportunity to make $400 million supersedes any loyalties to the name of a ballpark he could absolutely care less about.

And for that reason alone I applaud him for it.

What would really change if Wrigley Field became Bank of America Ballpark or the Kraft field?

Besides a few broken hearts and teary-eyed protests, really not that much. I'm sure fans of the team would probably try and organize a boycott of the corporate entity that assumes the naming rights as a form of protest.

But do you really think people would stop coming to Wrigley?

Do you really think a ballpark known for its half beer garden, half frat party atmosphere would lose that kind of appeal?

The answer is absolutely not. This Cubs franchise transcends every preconceived notion you have about the relationship between a team's performance and attendance figures.

The Cubs are known for losing and while people complain about it, its the factor that has endeared the Cubs to so many of the Chicagoans either in the city or transplanted elsewhere.

So quit crying and accept the fact that Sam Zell could care less about what you think. He owns the Cubs and is entitled to do what he sees fit in order to turn a profit. It's the American way and principles will never stand in the way of someone accepting a check for $400 million.

Would you turn down that kind of money?

If you said no, then you sir, are a better man than I..