Chicago Cubs | MLB

To provide world-class baseball entertainment by becoming the premier destination for baseball excellence

Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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Company Details

Revenue: $400M annually

Category: Professional Sports

SIC Code: 7941

Employees: 300+ full-time

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Leadership

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Craig Counsell

Chief Executive Officer

Tom Ricketts

Chairman

Achievement

Led Cubs to 2016 World Series championship

Associations

MLB Owners, Wrigley Field Partners

Jed Hoyer

President of Baseball Operations

Achievement

Built championship teams with Red Sox and Cubs

Associations

MLB Executives, Baseball Operations

Crane Kenney

President of Business Operations

Achievement

Oversaw Wrigley Field renovation project

Associations

MLB Business Operations, Stadium Management

Carter Hawkins

General Manager

Achievement

Led player development with Indians

Associations

MLB General Managers, Player Development

Julian Green

Chief Operating Officer

Achievement

Enhanced fan experience operations

Associations

Sports Operations, Fan Experience

Colin Faulkner

Chief Revenue Officer

Achievement

Maximized revenue streams for Cubs

Associations

Sports Revenue, Marketing

Shiraz Rehman

Chief Technology Officer

Achievement

Modernized Cubs digital infrastructure

Associations

Sports Technology, Digital Innovation

SWOT Analysis

Updated: June 5, 2025 6/5/25

The SWOT analysis reveals the Cubs occupy a unique position in professional sports, leveraging historic Wrigley Field and loyal fanbase as core competitive advantages. However, mediocre on-field performance threatens to erode these strengths. The organization must balance preserving tradition with embracing innovation, particularly in fan experience technology and revenue diversification. Key priorities include roster investment to return to playoff contention, expanding digital engagement platforms, and maximizing the Wrigleyville entertainment district potential. The Cubs' challenge lies in maintaining premium pricing while delivering championship-caliber performance, requiring strategic investment in both talent acquisition and fan experience enhancement to sustain long-term growth.

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No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To provide world-class baseball entertainment by becoming the premier destination for baseball excellence

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Strengths

VENUE: Historic Wrigley Field provides unique atmosphere and revenue premium that competitors cannot replicate
FANBASE: Loyal Chicago market with 3M+ attendance demonstrates strong revenue foundation despite performance
LOCATION: Wrigleyville entertainment district creates year-round revenue beyond baseball season
BRAND: Cubs brand ranks top 5 in MLB merchandise sales generating significant licensing revenue
INFRASTRUCTURE: $750M Wrigley renovation completed provides modern amenities while preserving historic character

Weaknesses

PAYROLL: $180M payroll ranks 15th in MLB limiting ability to compete for top free agents
PERFORMANCE: 83-79 record in 2024 missed playoffs disappointing fans and reducing October revenue
ROSTER: Aging core players with declining performance and limited farm system depth
ATTENDANCE: 2024 attendance dropped 8% from 2023 indicating fan frustration with mediocre results
REVENUE: Local TV deal with Marquee Network underperforms compared to other major market teams

Opportunities

DEVELOPMENT: Gallagher Way and surrounding area expansion can increase non-baseball revenue streams
TECHNOLOGY: AI-powered fan experience and stadium operations can enhance customer satisfaction
PARTNERSHIPS: Corporate sponsorship growth in Chicago market with recovering post-pandemic economy
BROADCAST: Streaming partnerships and digital content creation can reach younger demographics
INTERNATIONAL: MLB's global expansion creates opportunities for Cubs brand internationally

Threats

COMPETITION: Cardinals and Brewers strong performance threatens NL Central dominance
ECONOMICS: Rising player salaries and luxury tax thresholds pressure profit margins
WEATHER: Climate change affecting Chicago weather patterns impacts attendance and scheduling
STREAMING: Cord-cutting trends threaten traditional TV revenue streams from broadcasting deals
REGULATION: Potential changes to MLB revenue sharing and luxury tax could impact competitive balance

Key Priorities

TALENT: Invest in player development and strategic free agent signings to build competitive roster
REVENUE: Diversify income streams through technology, partnerships, and venue optimization
EXPERIENCE: Enhance fan engagement through digital innovation and premium amenities
BRAND: Leverage Cubs tradition and Wrigley mystique to drive long-term value creation

OKR AI Analysis

Updated: June 5, 2025 6/5/25

This SWOT analysis-driven OKR plan strategically addresses the Cubs' core challenges while leveraging their unique strengths. The four-pillar approach balances immediate competitive needs with long-term value creation, recognizing that sustained success requires both on-field excellence and exceptional fan experience. The plan acknowledges that while Wrigley Field and Cubs tradition provide competitive advantages, consistent performance and revenue diversification are essential for maintaining market position. Key success factors include disciplined talent investment, technology-enabled fan engagement, and community relationship building. The metrics focus on attendance, revenue growth, and satisfaction scores that directly correlate with franchise value appreciation and sustainable competitive advantage in the evolving sports entertainment landscape.

Cardinals Brewers White Sox Dodgers Yankees

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To provide world-class baseball entertainment by becoming the premier destination for baseball excellence

WIN CONSISTENTLY

Build competitive roster for sustained playoff success

ROSTER: Sign 2 impact free agents by March 1st to address pitching and hitting gaps
DEVELOPMENT: Promote 3 top prospects to MLB roster improving talent pipeline depth
PERFORMANCE: Achieve 88+ wins and wild card playoff berth by October 1st
ANALYTICS: Implement advanced player evaluation system reducing injury risk 15%

MAXIMIZE REVENUE

Diversify income streams beyond traditional ticket sales

ATTENDANCE: Increase season attendance to 3.1M through enhanced fan experience programs
PARTNERSHIPS: Secure $35M in new corporate sponsorships and naming rights deals
DIGITAL: Launch Cubs streaming content platform generating $5M additional revenue
FACILITIES: Expand Gallagher Way events increasing non-baseball revenue 25%

ENHANCE EXPERIENCE

Create premium fan engagement through innovation

TECHNOLOGY: Deploy AI-powered mobile app personalizing fan experiences for 500K users
AMENITIES: Complete premium seating upgrades increasing per-capita spending 12%
SERVICES: Achieve 90% customer satisfaction score through improved concessions
COMMUNITY: Host 50 community events strengthening local fan relationship bonds

BUILD LEGACY

Strengthen Cubs brand for long-term value creation

BRAND: Maintain top-5 MLB merchandise sales ranking through innovative product lines
MEDIA: Increase social media engagement 20% through authentic content creation
HISTORY: Launch Wrigley Field museum attracting 100K annual visitors
SUSTAINABILITY: Implement green initiatives reducing stadium carbon footprint 30%

METRICS

Attendance: 3.1M
Revenue: $450M
Customer Satisfaction: 90%

VALUES

Excellence
Tradition
Community
Integrity
Innovation

Align the learnings

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Chicago Cubs | MLB Retrospective

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MLB salary databases and luxury tax information
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Chicago tourism and entertainment industry analysis

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Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To provide world-class baseball entertainment by becoming the premier destination for baseball excellence

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What Went Well

ATTENDANCE: Maintained 2.8M+ attendance despite missing playoffs showing fan loyalty
REVENUE: Concession and merchandise sales increased 5% year-over-year
FACILITIES: Completed additional Wrigley renovations enhancing fan experience
PARTNERSHIPS: Secured new corporate sponsorship deals worth $25M annually

Not So Well

PERFORMANCE: 83-79 record missed playoffs reducing October revenue potential
PAYROLL: High player costs relative to performance ROI disappointed stakeholders
BROADCAST: Marquee Network ratings declined 12% from previous season
EXPENSES: Rising operational costs outpaced revenue growth by 3%

Learnings

INVESTMENT: Player talent investment must align with performance expectations
DIVERSIFICATION: Non-baseball revenue streams provide stability during poor seasons
EXPERIENCE: Fan loyalty depends on overall experience not just winning
EFFICIENCY: Operational cost management critical for maintaining profitability

Action Items

ROSTER: Evaluate underperforming high-salary players for potential trades
MARKETING: Develop retention strategies to maintain attendance during rebuilding
TECHNOLOGY: Implement cost-saving operational technologies
REVENUE: Explore additional corporate partnership and naming rights opportunities

Overview

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Chicago Cubs | MLB Market

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Claude

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Chicago Cubs press releases and investor presentations
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Wrigley Field renovation project financial reports
Chicago tourism and entertainment industry analysis

Founded: 1876
Market Share: 3.2% of MLB revenue
Customer Base: 3M+ annual attendees
Category:
Professional Sports
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Zip Code: 60613
Employees: 300+ full-time

Competitors

Cardinals

Brewers

White Sox

Dodgers

Yankees

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

Align the strategy

SWOT analysis provides a structured framework for aligning executive team strategy by evaluating internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats, enabling cohesive strategic decision-making.

Chicago Cubs | MLB Business Model Analysis

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Claude

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MLB team financial reports and attendance data
Chicago Cubs press releases and investor presentations
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Marquee Sports Network viewership and ratings data
Fan satisfaction surveys and social media engagement metrics
MLB salary databases and luxury tax information
Wrigley Field renovation project financial reports
Chicago tourism and entertainment industry analysis

Problem

Limited entertainment options
Expensive family activities
Lack of community connection
Boring traditional sports

Solution

Historic venue experience
Varied pricing options
Community events
Modern amenities integration

Key Metrics

Attendance numbers
Revenue per fan
Customer satisfaction
Season ticket retention

Unique

Wrigley Field history
Ivy-covered walls
Rooftop seating
Wrigleyville atmosphere

Advantage

147-year legacy
Prime Chicago location
Loyal multigenerational fanbase
Iconic venue recognition

Channels

Wrigley Field
Digital platforms
TV broadcasts
Merchandise retail

Customer Segments

Baseball fans
Tourists
Corporate clients
Families

Costs

Player salaries
Stadium operations
Marketing expenses
Technology infrastructure

Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: June 5, 2025 6/5/25

The Cubs transform baseball into unforgettable experiences at historic Wrigley Field, combining championship-level competition with premium amenities and community tradition. Fans don't just watch games, they become part of Chicago's baseball legacy while enjoying world-class entertainment and dining in the heart of Wrigleyville.

Historic Wrigley experience

Competitive championship team

Premium fan amenities

Before State

Empty seats
Losing seasons
Outdated facility
Declining interest
Limited revenue

After State

Sold out games
Playoff runs
Modern amenities
Fan engagement
Revenue growth

Negative Impacts

Lost revenue
Fan exodus
Media criticism
Sponsorship loss
Talent departure

Positive Outcomes

Increased attendance
Higher revenue
Better talent
Fan loyalty
Brand strength

Key Metrics

Attendance

2.8M

TV ratings

8.2

Merchandise rank

Top 5

Social media

3M followers

Requirements

Winning team
Stadium upgrades
Fan experience
Marketing push
Community engagement

Why Chicago Cubs | MLB

Player development
Facility investment
Fan programs
Digital innovation
Partnerships

Chicago Cubs | MLB Competitive Advantage

Historic venue
Location
Tradition
Fan loyalty
Market size

Proof Points

2016 World Series
Attendance records
Revenue growth
Fan surveys
Media coverage

Overview

Chicago Cubs | MLB Market Positioning

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Claude

Gemini

GPT

MLB team financial reports and attendance data
Chicago Cubs press releases and investor presentations
Forbes MLB franchise valuations and revenue estimates
Marquee Sports Network viewership and ratings data
Fan satisfaction surveys and social media engagement metrics
MLB salary databases and luxury tax information
Wrigley Field renovation project financial reports
Chicago tourism and entertainment industry analysis

What You Do

Professional baseball entertainment

Target Market

Baseball fans and entertainment seekers

Differentiation

Historic Wrigley Field
Ivy-covered walls
Rooftop seating
Wrigleyville atmosphere

Revenue Streams

Ticket sales
Concessions
Merchandise
Broadcasting
Corporate partnerships

Overview

Click on any top client to discover other companies that share these business relationships. This network view helps identify potential partnerships, competitors, and market opportunities within your business ecosystem.

Chicago Cubs | MLB Operations and Technology

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Claude

Gemini

GPT

MLB team financial reports and attendance data
Chicago Cubs press releases and investor presentations
Forbes MLB franchise valuations and revenue estimates
Marquee Sports Network viewership and ratings data
Fan satisfaction surveys and social media engagement metrics
MLB salary databases and luxury tax information
Wrigley Field renovation project financial reports
Chicago tourism and entertainment industry analysis

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Private corporation
Supply Chain: Food vendors, merchandise suppliers
Tech Patents: Stadium technology innovations
Website: https://www.mlb.com/cubs

Top Clients

Board Members

Align the strategy

Chicago Cubs | MLB Competitive Forces

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

MLB team financial reports and attendance data
Chicago Cubs press releases and investor presentations
Forbes MLB franchise valuations and revenue estimates
Marquee Sports Network viewership and ratings data
Fan satisfaction surveys and social media engagement metrics
MLB salary databases and luxury tax information
Wrigley Field renovation project financial reports
Chicago tourism and entertainment industry analysis

Threat of New Entry

LOW: MLB's closed system, massive capital requirements, and territorial rights prevent new competitors

Supplier Power

LOW: Multiple vendors for concessions, merchandise, and services with Cubs having significant negotiating leverage

Buyer Power

MODERATE: Fans have entertainment alternatives but Cubs loyalty and Wrigley uniqueness limits substitution power

Threat of Substitution

MODERATE: Entertainment options like movies, concerts exist but baseball's seasonal nature provides unique value

Competitive Rivalry

MODERATE: 29 MLB teams compete nationally, but Cubs dominate Chicago NL market with strong brand loyalty and historic venue

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: June 5, 2025 6/5/25

The Cubs' AI strategy analysis reveals significant potential to enhance both competitive performance and fan experience through data-driven innovation. While the organization possesses strong foundational analytics capabilities, there's substantial room for growth in comprehensive AI integration across operations, marketing, and player development. The historic nature of Wrigley Field presents unique challenges and opportunities for smart stadium technology implementation. Success requires strategic investment in talent acquisition, infrastructure modernization, and cultural adaptation to embrace data-driven decision making while preserving the traditional baseball experience fans cherish.

Cardinals Brewers White Sox Dodgers Yankees

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To provide world-class baseball entertainment by becoming the premier destination for baseball excellence