Chicago Cubs And DraftKings Planning Wrigley Field Sportsbook
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DraftKings Sportsbook and the Chicago Cubs partnered back in 2020 with plans to have a Wrigley Field Sportsbook. Now the plans are starting to move forward as they look to get the approval of the Chicago City Council. Wrigley Field has undergone a lot of changes over the years, adding and modernizing the stadium from what it once was. Adding a massive sportsbook would further enhance the Wrigley area.
DraftKings Sportsbook Plans
The plans show the massive 22,350 square-foot area to accommodate a DraftKings Sportsbook on the corner of Sheffield Avenue and Addison Street. They are aiming for the end of 2022, but of course, the timing is all down to getting approval. There are a few things that need to get hammered out as to whether it is connected to the stadium or not where those with a ticket can access it. Gambling and baseball are still not as progressive despite teams partnering with sportsbooks.
Sportsbook Needs Approval
There are some hurdles to clear for DraftKings and the Cubs. The first is going to be getting the approval of the Chicago City Council, which they are expected to meet with on Thursday. They need to get the approval to build the site but also to allow sports betting inside Chicago’s stadium. There is always going to be a hurdle as sportsbooks get closer and closer to the action.
Now With the MLB, they have their own restrictions. They need to get approval to allow a sportsbook inside the stadium. MLB also does not allow any owner that has a stake in a sportsbook to have a role in management. The Cubs ownership remaining independent would be free of restrictions.
Timeline
It is unclear when all these hurdles could be cleared, but any of them being struck down would make it tough for a sportsbook to operate by the end of 2022, which is the plan for both sides. We will know more after the City Council meeting, as that will be the big hurdle to clear. The MLB hurdles will likely have a bit more back and forth, especially as the MLB needs to figure out how to handle sports betting themselves.
