Thursday September 21, 2023
The Best Employers in Sports Survey is Now Open!
Law

With Wrigley Field Lawsuit, Cubs Are Latest Team to Face ADA Complaints

  • At least five other pro teams have been sued over alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act since 2016.
  • The Department of Justice began investigating access issues at Wrigley Field in 2019.
Jerry Lai/USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

The proposal aims to create an exciting media product while reducing travel for non-football sports.
Listen Now
September 21, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

The Chicago Cubs are the latest pro team to face a lawsuit over alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois filed the lawsuit in federal court in Chicago on Thursday over renovations to Wrigley Field as part of the multi-year 1060 Project. 

The lawsuit alleged the Cubs’ $550 million in renovations “removed the best wheelchair seating in the stadium” and many seating areas “do not have adequate sightlines over standing spectators.”

The team allegedly failed to include accessibility in new premium clubs, and the seating is in the last row of the bleachers, blocked by drink rails or standing fans.

At least five other teams in the four major U.S. sports have faced ADA-related lawsuits since 2016. 

“It’s just stunning to me that after all these high-profile cases and it being more than 30 years since the ADA was signed, that you still have places just being utterly clueless,” disability rights attorney Amy Robertson told Front Office Sports.

“I don’t know why there are all these problems. I think if a bunch of lawyers can read the code, architects should be able to as well.”

  • The ADA, signed into law in 1990, set aside some safe harbor provisions for existing buildings. 
  • All sports venues like Wrigley Field — the second-oldest ballpark in the majors that opened in 1914 — still had to comply with parking, bathroom and entrance/exit standards. 
  • But new construction — and any venue built after 1990 — must follow all accessibility requirements of the ADA. Those standards were updated in 2010. 

The Cubs said in a statement that they were “disappointed” by the lawsuit and the team added it “fully cooperated” with the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation that dates back to November 2019. 

“The renovation of Wrigley Field greatly increased accessibility of the ballpark and was completed in accordance with applicable law and historic preservation standards consistent with the ballpark’s designation as a National and City of Chicago landmark,” the Cubs’ statement continued. 

The Cubs have company among teams subjected to ADA lawsuits in recent years.. 

Abdul Nevarez, who lost his right leg and severely injured the other leg along with his left arm in a motorcycle accident, was the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against the San Francisco 49ers, the City of Santa Clara, and the Santa Clara Stadium Authority over wheelchair access at Levi Stadium.

The lawsuit, filed in 2016, was settled in 2020 for $24 million, a record settlement for an ADA case. The 49ers were able to recoup $6 million from Turner Construction Co. and Devcon, construction companies who sued by the 49ers.

In 2018, a Kroenke Sports and Entertainment subsidiary agreed to a settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought over lack of captioning on the video boards at Ball Arena, the home of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets. Robertson was the plaintiff’s lawyer in that case.

The Seattle Mariners were sued in 2018 over sightline allegations similar to the Cubs’ lawsuit. While a U.S. District Court judge dismissed the case, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overruled that decision last year. The case remains active. 

The Baltimore Orioles were sued in 2018 by three wheelchair users over accessibility issues at Camden Yards. 

Multiple New Orleans Saints fans have sued over the $450 million renovation of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome over concerns the project would hinder access.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is among the FTX endorsers who have reached a settlement for their roles in promoting the crypto exchange.

Trevor Lawrence Settles Lawsuit Over FTX Crypto Endorsement

Lawrence has settled while other FTX athlete endorsers still face lawsuits.
In an aerial view, Soldier Field is seen before a game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.

Chicago’s New Mayor Says Bears Staying In City Still Possibility

Brandon Johnson has made keeping the Bears in Chicago a priority.
Sage Steele

Sage Steele And ESPN 'Mutually Agree' To Part Ways

Steele says she can 'exercise my first amendment rights more freely.’
Dana White

Judge Allows Massive UFC Class-Action Case to Proceed

A federal judge certified a class of more than 2,000 current and ex-UFC fighters as part of a long-running antitrust case.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Rupert Murdoch's Exit Leaves Lasting Fox Sports Legacy

Rupert Murdoch steps down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp.
Could ESPN lose events such as the NBA Finals if it sold ABC.
September 21, 2023

Selling ABC Poses Billion-Dollar Dilemma for Disney and ESPN's Future

Losing ABC would create complications as ESPN enters NBA rights negotiations.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half at Albertsons Stadium.
exclusive
September 20, 2023

The First Official Proposal for Promotion-Relegation In College Football

Realignment is forcing Group of 5 schools to rethink their structure.
A general view of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Stadium.
September 20, 2023

Political Support Grows for RFK Stadium Bill

The Commanders exited RFK after the 1996 NFL season for FedEx Field.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Lane Kiffin

Ole Miss Football Player Files $40M Lawsuit Against Lane Kiffin, School

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is being sued by one of his players.
Senate Hearings
September 13, 2023

Senate Subpoenas Saudi Investment Fund Records in PGA Tour Inquiry

Senate hearing reveals deep concerns about the potential PGA Tour-LIV deal.
Jim Trotter
September 12, 2023

Reporter Jim Trotter Sues NFL, Alleges NFL Owner Made Racist Remark

Trotter alleged Terry Pegula made a "highly offensive and racist" remark.
Michael Irvin
August 31, 2023

Potential Trial in Michael Irvin’s Lawsuit Against Marriott Many Months Off

Irvin returned to the air this week as a contributor on FS1’s “Undisputed”.
Brett Favre sues Shannon Sharpe, Pat McAfee, and Mississippi State Auditor Shad White .
August 29, 2023

Brett Favre’s Attorneys Mount Challenge Over Text Messages in Welfare Funds Lawsuit

Favre is among more than 40 defendants in the civil case.
exclusive
August 28, 2023

Nearly 30 New Subpoenas Seek Communications With Brett Favre

Former NFL player Adalius Thomas among those subpoenaed.
Panini
August 24, 2023

Defiant Panini Is Contesting Early Breakup With NFLPA

Panini seeks arbitration after the NFLPA ended the deal.
The NCAA's 2021 statement “irreparably damaged his reputation,” claims Bush’s lawyers.
August 23, 2023

Reggie Bush to File Defamation Lawsuit Against NCAA

NCAA's 2021 statement "irreparably damaged his reputation,” Bush’s lawyers said.