by Steven Leventhal

The Cubs have reached a tentative deal with the city of Mesa to remain in their Spring home city for the new twenty five years - deal that includes a new state of the art stadium.

The deal includes giving the Cubs naming rights to the stadium.

Below is an excerpt from the Momorandum of Understanding published on the Chicago Tribune's web site tonight, with the provisions related to the naming rights.

"The Cubs shall have the exclusive right to sell "naming rights" sponsorship for all and/or individual components of the Stadium......subject to approval of the City with approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Nonwithstanding the foregoing, the names(s) shall not include (i) any name of any municipality in Arizona other than the City without prior written approval of the City.....(ii) names of tobacco manufacturers or distributors; (iii) sexually suggestive names or names of businesses which promote adult businesses, activities or entertainment; (iv) products or merchandise related to sexual activity; or (v) names of any nature (whether explicit or implicit) which could reasonably bring disrepute, shame or opprobrium upon the City."