Former Gov.: Agency hopes to keep Wrigley name on ballpark

[May 08, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Former Governor Jim Thompson said the agency that could buy Wrigley Field wants to the name and character of the historic ballpark to stay as is.

Thompson, chairman of Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, said Wednesday that he hasn't heard of any deals to link Wrigley's name to a corporate sponsorship. IFSA has been in negotiations to buy the park from the Tribune Company for months.

Thompson said after a meeting of the ISFA board that the agency still wants a deal that wouldn't involve taxpayer money and thus could gain approval from city and state officials.

Tribune Chairman and CEO Sam Zell hopes to sell Wrigley separately from the Chicago Cubs, who play there.

[Associated Press]

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