The Friendly Confines: The Global Influence of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field

PAST EVENT
Join us for a conversation on how the Chicago Cubs elevate Chicago's global status as the team celebrates their 150th anniversary.
Chicago Cubs fans celebrate outside Wrigley Field after the team clinched the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals on October 13, 2015.
Apr
14
Paul Beaty / AP
Speakers
Adam Cook
Ed Hartig
Jennifer Martinez
Event Date

About This Event

Baseball may be America's pastime, but for over a century, the Chicago Cubs have leveraged the sport to project Chicago into the global spotlight. As the Cubs continue to expand their international fanbase, the team offers something distinct: Wrigley Field, one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable venues and a pilgrimage site for fans worldwide. The team's dramatic 2016 World Series victory, ending the longest championship drought in professional sports (108 years), became an international story of perseverance that resonated far beyond sports. Cubs games broadcast globally give millions a window into Chicago, making the ballpark and its surrounding neighborhood ambassadors for the city's character and charm. 

As the 2026 MLB season begins and the Cubs celebrate their 150th anniversary, join us for a conversation about how the team generates soft power for Chicago. How does Wrigley Field's iconic status shape global perceptions of our city? What role do sports franchises play in cultural diplomacy and international visibility? And as cities compete for global attention, how can Chicago leverage its distinctive baseball heritage to strengthen connections with international audiences?

About the Speakers
Adam Cook
Vice President, Campus Ink Sports
Adam Cook speaking on a panel.
Adam Cook is a sports business leader, educator, and researcher whose work sits at the intersection of commerce, culture, and sports community. As Vice President of Sports at Campus Ink and The NIL Store, he oversees one of the most active athlete merchandising and licensing operations in collegiate sports.
Adam Cook speaking on a panel.
Ed Hartig
Team Historian, Chicago Cubs
Headshot photo of Ed Hartig.
Ed Hartig is the Chicago Cubs Team Historian (since 1995) and a lifelong baseball fan. He has written or edited many articles for the Cubs’ magazines, media guides, and website, and led tours at Wrigley Field.
Headshot photo of Ed Hartig.
Jennifer Martinez
Senior Director of Business Communications, Chicago Cubs
Headshot photo of Jennifer Martinez.
With over 20 years of experience, Jennifer Martinez is a trusted leader in communications and public affairs. As Senior Director of Business Communications for the Chicago Cubs, she helps shape how the team connects with fans, media, and the community.
Headshot photo of Jennifer Martinez.
Global Power, Chicago-Style
Global Power, Chicago-Style This event is part of the Council's "Global Power, Chicago-Style," a series of discussions for YP Network members about the city’s cultural institutions and global brands as both local treasures and instruments of international attraction.
Learn more
Event Series Global Power, Chicago-Style
Issues Culture
Regions North America
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