Here’s a simple as A, B, C, skeleton explanation of how Citizen/Cub-Fan Co-ownership with Illinois Sports Facilites Authority (ISFA) of CUBS PARK and assets (including naming rights) could work.

A) Universal Access to low cost (even no-interest) capital credit will be made available for every Chicago citizen (including Cub Fans and the Poor) guaranteed by ISFA (and the State of Illinois) (but administered by the US banking system) . The usual requirements for collateral (or an effective substitute for collateral) and repayment such as some form of credit insurance would apply.

B) Every individual Chicago citizen (including Cub Fans and the Poor) would receive a beneficial (lifetime, non-transferable) stake in 50% of the ownership of the assets of CUBS Park (including naming rights etc) with ISFA owning the remaining 50% and managing the assets and negotiating with Franchise owners in behalf of all citizen owners. Each individual citizen ownership stake can be professionally managed through individual accounts (comparable to IRA’s etc.).

C) ISFA (with the help of the State of Illinois) would distribute the ensuing dividends to each citizen’s individual account. Lifetime, non-transferable dividends from such ownership would provide Cub Fans with an incentive to support the Franchise and the POOR with a supplemental income.

This Plan Needs Your Input!
I realize that this broad stroke treatment will spark plenty of reactions pro and con, and that there are lots of details to be discussed, worked out, and decided upon. And for what it’s worth, everyone here at Joe Lunchbuckett Central welcomes every one of those reactions. Without genuine dialog, without getting down in the mud and wrestling with the issues, and without making every attempt to address all the primary concerns, this skeleton plan has no future.

On the other hand, to the degree that it successfully solicits input from all sectors, and gets everyone sawing a plank, pounding a nail, turning a bolt, and or pitching in on the paint job, it could become a milestone in 21st century economic thinking. Let’s see if we can build this boat together and launch her right here on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Joe Lunchbuckett