Last month, initial renderings of the proposed DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field hit the web and fans got a first look at what gambling at Wrigley Field may look like one day. We reported on the $100M partnership between the Chicago Cubs and the sports gambling and daily fantasy sports giant DraftKings back in September, and nothing much has changed beside the Cubs roster going from division-contender to that of St. Rita’s.
“The Chicago Cubs and DraftKings announced a $100M partnership that would put a sportsbook right at Wrigley Field by the end of 2022. This is huge news for more than a few reasons, none more significant than the fact that it has the potential to be the first book at a professional sports stadium. The Cubs and DraftKings aren’t thinking small on it either, as they have stated that the intention is to make it the largest individual sportsbook in the entire country.”
With sports betting moving to the front of the line for sports fans in terms of entertainment value, you could expect that the initial unveiling would be spectacular.
For those curious, here's a look at the planned Wrigley Field Sportsbook (mini thread): pic.twitter.com/bC3QwJnZeA
Advertisement— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) January 13, 2021
If you’re wondering why the Cubs haven’t spent a dime on the field it’s because of things like this. For years now the Ricketts family has spend hundreds of millions of dollars revamping the fan experience, Wrigleyville, and pulling Wrigley Field itself into the 21st century. However, as time progressed and projects delayed and COVID-19 essentially halted game-day related revenue streams, the Chicago Cubs went from big spenders to penny pinchers.
However, of the massive overhauls done, the DraftKings sportsbook is one of the cooler attractions the Ricketts braintrust has brought to the forefront. There’s nothing to indicate that when the sporting world returns to normal this place won’t be jam-packed with sports fans and avid gamblers alike. This also comes at a time where Illinois’ sportsbook operators reported a record $450M wagered in a single month, per a press release from PlayIllinois.com. Since legalization, sports gambling has exploded on the scene with DraftKings competitors such as FanDuel, Bet Rivers, and PointsBet leading the way. No one has the scope and interactive game day operation that DraftKings and the Cubs are offering.
Time will tell on the success of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field but the latest renderings are promising. Even if the Cubs themselves will be tough to watch in the coming years we at least can wager on their futility from the corner of Sheffield and Addison in 2022.
Featured Image Credit: Michael Cerami on Twitter