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January 25, 2007
Super Bowl Shaft
If there's one thing I've noticed about Chicago, it's that sporting events bring out the brutal capitalist in all of us. Whether it's charging $30 to park in a garage a block from Wrigley Field, or charging five times face value for a baseball game at said stadium, we're all turning into miniature Vanderbilts and Carnegies. It can also turn people into pretty big jerks.
First, there's the saga of construction worker/public access TV show host Bryan "Chong" Lane, who got Bears safety Chris Harris to promise, on tape, that if the Bears made it to the Super Bowl, he'd buy him tickets.
In [the tape], Harris tells Lange -- who goes by the name Chong on a show called Psycho Babble -- that his goal is to make it to the Super Bowl.
Says Lange: "If you guys make it to the Super Bowl, I'll sell my Harley to go.''
Harris replies, "You won't have to sell it. I will give you tickets.''
Lange replies, "I'm going to hold you to it. I've got you on tape.''
Harris, looking at the camera, then agrees: "It's on tape. If we win, he's going.''
Lange concludes the interview by saying, "Chong is going to the Super Bowl with the Bears on Chris Harris' dollar.''
Well shoot, Chris Harris, what are you going to do now?
In a phone interview, Harris' agent, Albert Elias, said he was unaware of Harris' promise but called Lange's appeal "a very unreasonable request considering Chris has over 40 family members trying to get tickets and he's only offered 15.''
Everybody's pretty much in agreement that Harris isn't under any legal obligation to pay up. As Zorn suggests, he has a moral obligation to do so. Why make this promise if he didn't plan to keep it? Whether or not he meant it, he had to know that a promise like that means a whole lot to some people. So, while nobody can force him to pay, I think it is the right thing to do from both a moral standpoint and a public relations standpoint.
Meanwhile, there's local watering hole O'Donovans. I don't think I've ever been to this place, but I certainly won't plan on going after they pulled a stunt which could best be called "d-bag-ish."
My friend had a contract for a superbowl party at a bar in Chicago. Nowhere on the contract does it say that the bar can cancel this contract at will.
While there are terms indicating that if my friend doesn't cancel at least 2 weeks prior, he must pay a penalty, and there are terms indicating he must guarantee at least 20 attendees at $28 per person for this party, nowhere does it say the bar can cancel at will.
Of course, since it's in Chicago and the Bears have just made the superbowl today, they called him and said he can no longer have the party. It's worth mentioning the party was booked on December 13th.
$28 per person was all inclusive for catered food and open bar for a few hours. Obviously this is because they could make more money if this party isn't held in the back room of the bar he had reserved.
The contract clearly states "Superbowl" on it so no argument can be made that they didn't realize the implications of the party.
In talking to the bar's manager, he admitted it was because the Bears were in the superbowl, and was completely rude about it. My friend even offered to pay more money, and asked "name a realistic price, I understand you could make more money by not having my party", and his return was "$100 a head."
Come on, O'Donovans! Not only does there appear to be a legally binding contact, but you have no compelling reason for cancelling the contract. When they booked the party, they knew there was a chance the Bears could make the Super Bowl. They took the risk, and they formed a legal contract to have a party during the game. Too bad, so sad. The Bears making the Super Bowl definitely isn't a good legal defense, in my opinion, because the bar knew that could happen yet chose to make the deal anyway. I think this guy could win some damages against the bar should he choose to take them to court, which I sincerely hope he does. But at the same time, I'd understand if he didn't because, well, it could be expensive. If it was me, I think I'd sue them, or at least threaten to sue.
And, I am sure there will be many more instances of Chicagoans dicking over fellow Chicagoans as the Super Bowl approaches. Just you see!
entry no. 731
Posted by oz115 at January 25, 2007 03:51 PM
Comments
BUY A BEARS SHIRT!!!!
I think you've been to that bar... cuz I think I'VE been there. And if I remember, it's nothing special...
Posted by: Christy at January 26, 2007 01:15 PM
O'Donovans makes me sick. Let's make sure we walk by it during your b-day celebration, you and I can pee on their door.
Posted by: G at January 26, 2007 09:12 PM