CHICAGO | The 78 Site

[nomarandlee]

I can't help but think the Fire/78 news lit a burner under both JR and Ishbia's backsides to not get completely shut out of the 78. Maybe they even want to throw a wrench in the plans and try to move in on the preferred spot in the 78 in the next few weeks? I wouldn't be surprised. I would think the north side of the parcel would be far preferable to the southern end of the 78 to locate a stadium. Would such a scenario scuttle the deal with the Fire? Perhaps, but a 2 billion dollar baseball park with 81 games would be a better catch for Related than a $600 million soccer pitch.

While Soldier Field, Arlington Heights, and MR remain sites where the Sox could build a new park in the next five years, I think their original idea for the 78 has the best upside, overall. The 78 plan is the move to the South Loop the Sox should have made 35 years ago. JR just either doesn't have the stomach or the funds to finance the park at the 78. With Ishbia now being all but assured of taking the reins as next-in-line owner, he may be willing to finance (or all?) of a new park at the 78.