Economy

Chicago Cubs Are Most Profitable Team in Baseball, So Why Are They Ripping Off Their Workers?

September 3rd 2014

 made $32 million last year. Their billionaire owner recently asked the city for $200 million in taxpayer money to fund stadium renovations. They also just slashed worker hours to avoid paying benefits under Obamacare

Baseball is already being sued for paying their minor league players poverty wages, so it should come as no surprise that the Chicago Cubs recently cut their grounds crew's hours to avoid giving them health care benefits under Obamacare. 

"Every organization, whether it’s baseball or corporate, is always continuing to evaluate inefficiencies, and obviously that translates to ours," Cubs spokesman, Julian Green told the Chicago Sun Times. “We’re no different than any organization trying to gain efficiencies."

Except the Cubs made 32.1 million dollars in income last year and are the most profitable team in Baseball, according to Forbes.

What may surprise people is that the Ricketts family, who own the Cubs, has aggressively sought taxpayer money to help fund renovations around Wrigley Field (presumably under the grounds that such construction will help create good jobs for the city).

As CBS Chicago reported in 2012:

The Cubs want to use $200 million in public funds to construct the long-planned Triangle Building along Clark Street in front of the ballpark. The Triangle Building would house team offices, a restaurant and parking, and would feature a Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame, a Cubs Pro Shop, and new ticket windows.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel did not consent, however, despite the evidently relentless lobbying efforts of the Ricketts Family. 

"When I first started this discussion, the Cubs wanted 200 million in taxpayer dollars," Emanuel told ESPN. "I said, 'No.' Then, they said we'd like 150 million taxpayer dollars, and I said, 'No.' Then, they asked if they could have 100 million dollars in taxpayer subsidies, and I said 'No.' Then, they asked for about $55 million in taxpayer subsidies. I said 'No'. The good news is after 15 months, they've heard the word, 'No.' 

Maybe Cubs Fans should say also "no" to cutting the hours and health care of hard working grounds staff who help keep their favorite team's stadium intact.