The Cubs haven't made a final decision on their spring-training home, though it appears they're leaning towards Florida.
One hotel general manager in the Naples, Fla., area said he was told by the Cubs that a local bed tax would seal the deal for Florida.
In an article on Marconews.com, Marco Island Marriott general manager Rick Medwedeff said Cubs president Crane Kenney told him it was up to the hotel association to push for the bed tax.
"Kenney said if he got the consensus of the lodging organization within the county, that it would support the project by virtue of bed tax funds," Medwedeff said. "It would be the last piece he was looking for to approach the owners, (and) that they submit their notice of termination with Mesa and start negotiations with Collier (County)."
Kenney was unavailable for comment.
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As someone who's been to spring training in both states, there's no comparison to the experience in Arizona. I've had an annual trip for ten years and we never have to consult a schedule to make the trip...can see the Cubs play anywhere easily. Plus we like to take in games at other sites, which is out of the question with the driving in Florida. Shame that it's even being considered...the point about there's a reason that teams are making the move west is very valid.
bring em to Florida! They are the most popular team in AZ, maybe their moving will encourage others to relocate back to Florida? Maybe they could even do a an east coast swing.
Outside of those with property in AZ, FL is better:
1) flights from Chicago are shorter and cheaper
2) Florida has beaches and oceans and fishing
3) Miami (east coast) 2 hrs away, has night life.
4) Ownerships wants the move (likely due to $$) perhaps more to be invested in Team
5) Change of scenery often helps players, perhaps it help the team?
6) Florida is home to the most beautiful people in the country (fact not opinion)... this cant hurt.
7) Florida is hungry for a team having lost so many recently to AZ
The undeniable fact is any Cub fan traveling to Arizona can comfortably attend 7 Cub games during a given week. I know because I do it almost every Spring. The same fan traveling to Florida would be lucky to attend 4 Cub games. The travel distance between stadiums absolutely matters.
Forgive me, I misspoke. It matters to anyone whose last name is not Ricketts.
It's ironic a Florida advocate commented the Orioles could be a new rivalry partner. I recently read an article indicating their Spring Training facility is leased on an annual basis. The same article suggested the Orioles might be the next Grapefruit League team moving to AZ.
There are cub fans everywhere. When they go to any stadium, most stadiums are filled with cubs fans. Next, naples does not come close what the cactus league offers, shot, the great fruit league cant compare. There is a reason why so many teams are leaving Florida for Arizona. And the long bus rides is just one of them. When I do my annual spring training cubs trip down to Arizona, its not just Mesa, I can go to every game in the metro area, follow the cubs in a short drive. Florida, shoot, fans are not going to travel 3+ hrs to watch a game.
It goes to show that the rickets don’t care about tradition, location and loyalty. They are scum and I am said they have taken over my beloved cubbies. This is a loss/loss for all outside of that little town called naples.
Who cares where they go? they have to go somewhere, maybe a change of scenery may do some good. For everyone complaining about the so called bus trips these pros have to make, how are those trips working out for the Yankees, Red Sox and Cardinals?
If you've lived in Florida you should know that all the dregs of society collect at there at the bottom of the American barrel
Don't believe anything a Florida resident says
We shouldn't be surprised by this at all since the Ricketts made their money in the financial services industry. No industry is better at asking for government (read: our) money for their own pockets than the financial services industry.
even though we haven't been to a world series since 1945--we also lead in the number of Chicago players that have gone to the Hall of Fame.
and just yesterday, pat hughes was named illinois broadcaster of the year.
not too bad for a losing franchise.
PeoriaRick (01/15/2010, 7:00 AM )
Even though the 1945 world series does not count since all able bodied men were fighting for our freedom and MLB consisted of players missing limbs and draft dodgers and even though Dawson and Maddux will represent the Expos and the Braves in the HOF repectively and even though the fine broadcaster Pat Hughes has never contributed to any Cubs wins, Wrigley Fields mensrooms are still the hottest spots in Chicago!
Three more months until is raining men in Wrigley...Hallelujah!
See ya in April you Peoria farmboy stud!
Cub fans-who's there number 1 rival? STL Cardinals.
Where are the Cardinals? Florida
Move to Naples and let the rivalry rage in the Spring.
For all of you trumpeting Phoenix Spring Baseball proximity, just so happens that the Twins, DevilRays and Redsox are 45 minutes away from Naples, and the Orioles may soon be in the mix too. How bout' some constant Redsox/Cubs games for anyone's vacationing pleasure? There are tons of midwesterners (and young ones too) thirsting for the Cubs on the west coast of Florida. Cubbies, come on down!
To everyone who thinks the Cubs moving to Naples is a mistake, I guess you don't watch Cubs games much. There are Cubs fans everywhere in the US. I live in Tampa and I was born in Chicago I have been a Cubs fan since I can remember. What really irks me is the fact that most of you who hate the Cubs moving to FL have a reason that there is nothing but old people here, guess what there are old people in Chicago. I'm 31 almost all of my friend here are Cubs fans when I went the Cubs vs Rays a couple of years back Tropicana Field was 90% filled with Cubs fans, when you see a Marlins game on tv the stands are mostly filled with Cubs fans, hell look at a Braves games again mostly filled with Cubs fans. The owner gave an ultimatium to Mesa and they are not coming through so just like any business they are going to move their product where it would generate more money for them in the long run.
A move to Naples, FL. would be a win/win all around. Naples would get some MUCH needed Jobs, there are 3 airports in the area, so flying other teams in would NOT be a problem, the timing of spring training neatly coinsides with the Snowbird population leaning toward staying a bit longer, more $$$$ for Naples Economy. Mesa's had their shot. Cubs, COME ON DOWN!
Crane Kenney is a buffoon. It was an utter surprise that the new owners kept him around. Hey Crane, if we sprinkle a little "holy water" in the dugout, it will seal the deal on a World Series, too, huh!
As a resident of Chicago I would be thrilled to attend spring training in Florida-- much cheaper flights to SW FL than AZ! This would benefit many more fans and there already is a large midwest fan base in FL for the Cubs.
No way should they leave Mesa, 57 years in Arizona and Ricketts is gonna leave after owning the Cubs for 70 days? This is a total and utter disgrace, Naples is a zero town for anyone under the age of about 80. Phoenix is just like a Chicago suburb, this is not a good move, I expect a major backlash.
"If you raise taxes in your area, we will move our team there."
Now I'm all for progress and change and Bush screwed us all and everything, but....!!???
Isn't this like the biggest stereotypical concern/fear about inporting Obama/Chicago Politics into Washington and the world.
Very, very very HUGE red flag about the new corporate emporers of the Cubs. What's next...alow derivative trading again and we'll go after free agants? JUnk Bonds for closers?
This is a dumb move made only for the owners who live in Florida. Screw the fans and the team. There is tons more travel involved in Florida. With the Tucson teams moving to the Phoenix area next spring, every team would be within an hour of Mesa. But why do the Cubs owners care? It's all about making money. We've seen that tired act already from The Tribune. I think this stinks.
The bed tax law - Florida Statutes 125.0104
MUST BE PUBLIC USES ONLY.....
(5) AUTHORIZED USES OF REVENUE.--
1. To acquire, construct, extend, enlarge, remodel, repair, improve, maintain, operate, or
promote one or more PUBLICLY OWNED and operated convention centers, sports stadiums, sports arenas, coliseums, or auditoriums, or museums that are publicly owned and operated or owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations and open to the public, within the boundaries of the county or subcounty special taxing district in which the tax is levied. Tax revenues received
pursuant to this section may also be used for promotion of zoological parks that are publicly owned and operated or owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations and open to the public. However, these purposes may be implemented through service contracts and leases with lessees with sufficient expertise or financial capability to operate such facilities;
2. To promote and advertise tourism in the State of Florida and nationally and internationally; however, if tax revenues are expended for an activity, service, venue, or event, the activity,
service, venue, or event shall have as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the activity, service, venue, or event to tourists;
3. To fund convention bureaus, tourist bureaus, tourist information centers, and news bureaus as county agencies or by contract with the chambers of commerce or similar associations in the county, which may include any indirect administrative costs for services performed by the county
on behalf of the promotion agency; or
4. To finance beach park facilities or beach improvement, maintenance, renourishment,
restoration, and erosion control, including shoreline protection, enhancement, cleanup, or restoration of inland lakes and rivers to which there is public access as those uses relate to the physical preservation of the beach, shoreline, or inland lake or river.
The bed tax law - Florida Statutes 125.0104
MUST BE PUBLIC USES ONLY.....
(5) AUTHORIZED USES OF REVENUE.--
1. To acquire, construct, extend, enlarge, remodel, repair, improve, maintain, operate, or
promote one or more PUBLICLY OWNED and operated convention centers, sports stadiums, sports arenas, coliseums, or auditoriums, or museums that are publicly owned and operated or owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations and open to the public, within the boundaries of the county or subcounty special taxing district in which the tax is levied. Tax revenues received
pursuant to this section may also be used for promotion of zoological parks that are publicly owned and operated or owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations and open to the public. However, these purposes may be implemented through service contracts and leases with lessees with sufficient expertise or financial capability to operate such facilities;
2. To promote and advertise tourism in the State of Florida and nationally and internationally; however, if tax revenues are expended for an activity, service, venue, or event, the activity,
service, venue, or event shall have as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the activity, service, venue, or event to tourists;
3. To fund convention bureaus, tourist bureaus, tourist information centers, and news bureaus as county agencies or by contract with the chambers of commerce or similar associations in the county, which may include any indirect administrative costs for services performed by the county
on behalf of the promotion agency; or
4. To finance beach park facilities or beach improvement, maintenance, renourishment,
restoration, and erosion control, including shoreline protection, enhancement, cleanup, or restoration of inland lakes and rivers to which there is public access as those uses relate to the physical preservation of the beach, shoreline, or inland lake or river.
Cubs fans live in other places besides Mesa and Chicago. Naples brings thousands of "snowbirds" from up north every winter/spring who will gladly spend money attending baseball games, and trust me there are plenty of them that already live here year-round. The last time I went to a Marlins/Cubs game in Miami there was more Cubby blue in the stadium than green/black.
Regardless, the fanbase of the Cubs have no problem following them wherever they go. Why not come to Naples for a nice spring weekend filled with baseball, beaches and golf?
The Cubs coming to Naples is a win-win.
The bed tax is supposed to be used to renourish (rebuild) eroded beaches and for benefit to tourists only.
I don't see what the Cubs have to do with tourists.
The Cubs are better off not coming to Naples because it's a stuffy little town filled with grumpy old farts just looking for a fight with young men, especially blacks, being that is so racist. Did you hear about the recent 'kick a Jew' day in on of their middle schools?
Do yourselves a favor and keep away from that town!
Go where the money is and the fans will follow!
The Ricketts family are self-serving corporate pukes who could care less about common fans who invested their savings in AZ property. The Cubs have been crapping on me for 44 years. Why change now, right Tommy?
Anything that Kenny is managing can't end well.
I'm all in for Florida!! Besides the fact that my parents live there, flights are cheaper from Chicago, so more fans can go to spring training games. Also, only having to take a bus trip is way easier than flights all the time.
Arizona needs to step up to the plate to keep the Cubs there. They haven't, so its Florida's turn.
This would be a colossal mistake! In Arizona there are only two teams that are more than an hour away... In Florida there would be only a few teams within an hour! The bus trips would kill them and be a total PITA. Mesa is also home to a ton of homegrown fans, something definitely lacking in Florida. Stay in Mesa, it's where they belong!