City of South Bend and South Bend Cubs Extend Stadium Agreement
SOUTH BEND, IN — Tonight, the South Bend Park Board unanimously approved an extension to the existing Use Operations and Management Agreement with the South Bend Cubs. The agreement amends and restates the previous agreement signed in 2011. This extension will preserve the 33-year arrangement between the City of South
SOUTH BEND, IN — Tonight, the South Bend Park Board unanimously approved an extension to the existing Use Operations and Management Agreement with the South Bend Cubs. The agreement amends and restates the previous agreement signed in 2011. This extension will preserve the 33-year arrangement between the City of South Bend and the South Bend Cubs until the year 2041.
“This is a win for the team and for the city,” said Aaron Perri, Executive Director, City of South Bend Venues, Parks & Arts. “The partnership between the ballclub and the city will continue to be phenomenal for another twenty years.”
The new agreement is particularly noteworthy because Major League Baseball (MLB) has extended invitations to 120 of the current 160 affiliated clubs to continue their relationship with Major League Teams. What is even more impressive is South Bend has been invited to move up to High-A status – which means more talented players and a higher caliber of play on the field.
“Four Winds Field, which was built 33 years ago, is still one of the best in the country for minor league baseball,” added Andrew Berlin, Chairman and Owner of the South Bend Cubs. “The city and the team have both worked hard to keep it that way over the years. It is one of the principal reasons we will continue our wonderful relationship with the Chicago Cubs.”
“A recent study using AECOM Research & Development’s formulas, shows that professional baseball contributes roughly $25 million a year in direct and induced economic impact to the region,” added Perri. “The team is both a draw to the region and a valuable financial asset.”
About the South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are the Class A-Advanced minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 33 years, the team has won four Midwest League titles, most recently in 2019, and has captured eight division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest's Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President's Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.