The Bernstein Brief: A Nice Win For The Cubs
By Dan Bernstein--
CBSChicago.com senior columnist
(CBS) With a decisive ruling in federal court Thursday, the Cubs picked up a victory before the season even began.
Thanks to U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall, we are one step closer to the end of the tedious battle between the team and the truculent remaining rooftop owners, one of the more frustrating recent local sports stories. Per her opinion, all renovations can continue.
The video boards and new signs are legal according to the existing contract, the rooftops didn't show that their businesses would be harmed, the Cubs engaged in no anti-competitive practices, and they're covered by MLB's anti-trust exemption.
Just as the rooftops were told years ago. To the letter.
And while most reports include this in passing, sources close to the situation told 670 The Score that the federal fraud indictment of one of the rooftop owners involved was a "tipping point." Marc Hamid of Skybox on Sheffield is alleged to have hidden $1.5 million in revenue to keep $600,000 from the Cubs and avoid taxes, and his arrest did significant damage to the plaintiffs' position.
Dan Bernstein is a co-host of 670 The Score's "Boers and Bernstein Show" in afternoon drive. Follow him on Twitter @dan_bernstein and read more of his columns here.
