Chicago Cubs Spring Training Complex Set For Upgrades — Plus ‘optimistic’ Outlook For Marquee’s Cable Future

The city of Mesa approved $16 million in funding for improvements at the complex during a Feb. 24 city council meeting, which will cover most of the cost for the new features. The project will result in a new performance hitting and pitching lab, a women’s locker room and the addition of motion-capture technology to analyze and improve player performance.

Work is expected to begin March 30, and the new facilities will be ready for 2026 spring training.

“Our relationship here — Mayor (Mark) Freeman, before him Mayor (John) Giles, before him Mayor (Scott) Smith, city council — they know what this place does for Mesa, and they’ve been incredibly good partners,” Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney told the Tribune.

The city of Mesa and Cubs entered into a facility use agreement in November 2011 that outlines roles and responsibilities for each party, which also establishes a time frame for certain capital improvement investments at the 10th and 20th season of play. Within the agreement, these improvements can be done to any element, amenity, capacity, use, function of the type of character in the facilities.

Those improvements can be any replacement of playing turf, stadium lighting, HVAC systems, seats, concession and food-preparation areas and equipment and scoreboards.

Marquee’s future on Comcast

Marquee Sports Network’s availability through Comcast should soon gain clarity with the Cubs’ March 27 domestic opener three weeks away.

Kenney told the Tribune he is “optimistic” the sides will reach an agreement and Comcast will continue to carry Marquee. Cable subscribers likely will see Marquee moved to a higher-priced tier, though, sources told the Tribune. It would follow a trend by other cable networks and how live sports, including baseball markets such as Pittsburgh and Boston, have been moved to a higher tier.

Important dates, such as opening day, typically fuel movement on broadcast agreements. The Cubs and Marquee experienced that when the network launched in 2020.

The Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox represent a cautionary example of what can happen when teams launch their own network without also having a cable agreement in place. The three teams are currently only available to watch through streaming on their Chicago Sports Network app or via an antenna. The Bulls’ 63% decrease in viewership from last year is the biggest drop in the NBA, the Sports Business Journal reported last month.

The 1060 Project wraps up

With the upper-deck seating replaced over the offseason and ready for the home opener next month, the Cubs’ decade-long upgrades to Wrigley Field and the area surrounding the ballpark, known as The 1060 Project, has finally been completed.

The undertaking started after the 2014 season and featured notable upgrades with the addition of two video boards, bleacher expansion, structural improvements and a new home clubhouse. Regular maintenance will be needed, including replacing the video boards in the near future.