CBA Record

MIKE LUFRANO IS “SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW” Take Me Out to the Ballgame By Nina Fain, Editorial Board Member E veryone knows that baseball isAmer- ica’s favor pastime and in Chicago that pastime is spelled C-U-B-S.

platform for sports and entertainment. Speaking to a large crowd of CBA mem- bers, Lufrano thanked to the team’s fans for remaining steadfast in their team loyalty, unaffected by the curses of random goats. President Kotin echoed those sentiments by reminding CBA members that at the John Paul Stevens Award luncheon earlier in the year, even U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stevens, one of the oldest Cubs fans, had his loyalty rewarded by vintage gift from the Cubs of a pennant that had flown over the Wrigley since t1932 when the team waged its Division championship fight. Legal Issues Lufrano explained that the legal issues often addressed in the general counsel’ office related not only to the customary business and real estate issues that arise in companies, but expanded to involve intel- lectual property rights, marketing, brand- ing, licensing of marks, and protection to prevent infringement. Lufrano shared a video about the Cubs’ spectacular season and wonderfully dedicated fans, the beauty of the historic field, and the extraordinary promise of the 2017-2018 season. As the team organization looks to the next season, he believes that the Cubs’ goal of a World championship repeat would be greatly enhanced by the Cubs’ investment in a premier Arizona spring training facility.

In preparation for the 2017 pennant race, Mike Lufrano, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Chicago Cubs, was the special guest of the association’s “Someone You Should Know” series at the Standard Club. CBAmembers were treated to a unique event. CBA President Dan Kotin rightly noted in his introduction of Lufrano, “It’s no secret that in addition to bringing home its first World Series crown in 108 years, the Ricketts family and new Cubs admin- istration have made dramatic and fantastic changes to the team, Wrigley Field, and the surrounding neighborhood.” Lufrano talked about the careful plan- ning and commitment had resulted in the historic achievement of the World Series championship for the Cubs baseball orga- nization. For proof of the benefits of those changes, one needed only to look in the faces of the excited CBA fans. In the leadership and commitment to excellence that brought the championship trophy toWrigley Field, the team’s owners, the Rickettts family, worked their magic. By combining management’s strategy with the hard work of the players and the unwavering dedication of the fans, they created for Chicago an extraordinary

In conjunction with smart choices about players, trades, and coaching, Cubs staff believes the team is well positioned for another winning year. Beyond that goal, in 2017, the rejuve- natedWrigley field will not only be used as a baseball diamond, but also an entertain- ment stage and a field for football. World- class entertainers like Billy Joel will perform in August, and the field will adapt to offer opportunities to accommodate plans for Big 10 football and college Bowl games to be played at Wrigley. For those who may have been surprised by that announcement, Lufrano quickly reminded CBA members that the Chicago Bears once played at Wrigley Field. What a tremendous coup it was for the CBAmembers to have Lufrano, who works each day at the heartbeat of the club, to give us a 2017-2018 season preview. As Lufrano closed the breakfast, and all attendees received a Cubs cap, everyone agreed that from opening day forward, the “W” would again fly often over Wrig- ley Field

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14 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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