Chicago White Sox Reportedly Looking at Site For New Ballpark
According to an extensive report from the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago White Sox are reportedly looking at a specific new area in the city for a new ballpark.
The team's current agreement with Guaranteed Rate Field expires after the 2029 season. The team has been playing there since 1991.
From the article:
The White Sox are negotiating with developer Related Midwest about the possibility of building a new ballpark on the South Loop parcel known as “The 78.”
Sources familiar with the talks, all speaking on the condition they not be named, told the Chicago Sun-Times the negotiations for a baseball-only stadium are “serious.”
The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the government agency that owns and financed Guaranteed Rate Field, has not been involved in the discussions, according to the authority’s CEO Frank Bilecki. At some point, the stadium authority would need to get involved in determining the future of Guaranteed Rate Field and possibly in building a new ballpark if it is publicly funded.
Guaranteed Rate Field is the eighth-oldest ballpark in baseball, younger than only Fenway Park (Red Sox), Wrigley Field (Cubs), Dodger Stadium (Dodgers), Angels Stadium (Angels), Oakland Coliseum (Athletics), Kaufmann Stadium (Royals) and Rogers Centre (Blue Jays).
Given how old the stadium is, it's understandable that the team would want to explore a new spot and potentially get the new ballpark. It's also good to see that the team is exploring areas within Chicago, since there were previous talks of possible relocation of the franchise.
As usual, if the spot is found to be suitable and approved, the big discussion point will be about who pays for it.
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
