(670 The Score) The White Sox were first to present renderings of a potential stadium to be built at The 78 development in the South Loop, but it appears they've been beaten to the implementation of a plan.
Chicago Fire FC last week unveiled its plan to build a privately-funded $650-million soccer stadium on that land and even seemed to take a jab at the White Sox on social media by claiming “dibs.” Despite that, the White Sox believe there’s still an opportunity for both teams to construct stadiums at The 78.
The 78 is still an option for the White Sox, chief revenue/marketing officer Brooks Boyer told Inside The Clubhouse on Saturday.
“When you look at a 62-acre parcel like that, and the Fire are going to build a beautiful stadium on nine acres, there’s plenty of room for a lot of things that can happen,” Boyer said.
“Certainly, two stadiums can fit on that property. As far as where the stadiums go, I don’t think it matters as long as fans can get in and out there and enjoy their games and events.”
The White Sox currently play at Rate Field on a lease that expires after the 2029 season.
On Thursday, the White Sox announced an ownership transition plan in which current chairman Jerry Reinsdorf will eventually transfer power to minority owner Justin Ishbia. Reinsdorf will keep control of the team until at least 2029. He then has the option to sell the controlling interest of the White Sox to Ishbia between 2029 and 2033. After the 2034 season, Ishbia has the right to acquire the controlling interest.
As part of the agreement, the 47-year-old Ishbia “will make capital infusions into the White Sox as a limited partner in 2025 and 2026 that will be used to pay down existing debt and support ongoing team operations,” the team also said in a press release.