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Jim Phillips wants Northwestern football game at Wrigley Field in 2017

Back in 2013, Northwestern agreed to a deal with the Cubs that would bring five NU football games to Wrigley Field, but none have been scheduled.

By Henry Bushnell
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

UPDATE: A source familiar with the situation told Inside NU Friday that a more realistic target for Northwestern's next game at Wrigley is 2019.

Jim Phillips is eager for Northwestern football to return to Wrigley Field. Phillips told the Chicago Tribune's Teddy Greenstein the following in an article published Thursday:

"We're anxious to get something done," he told the Tribune. "I'm close with those guys. I talk to (owner) Tom (Ricketts) all the time. Everyone is motivated to do it. It's really on their timeline."

Greenstein also paraphrased Phillips and wrote:

Phillips hopes that Northwestern can return to Wrigley in November of 2017.

In November 2017, Northwestern is scheduled to play Nebraska on the road, Purdue and Minnesota at home, and Illinois at Soldier Field.

Is this even a good idea?

Why the pros of playing at Wrigley outweigh the cons

Henry Bushnell

Northwestern at Wrigley Field will not be perfect. But assuming the program and athletic department have learned from 2010, it will be fine, and has the potential to be a resounding success.

Is this even a good idea?

Northwestern football at Wrigley Field: Do the concerns outweigh the positives?

Northwestern last played at Wrigley Field in 2010. That was the infamous game against Illinois, when both teams had to play offense headed toward the same end zone because Wrigley Field could not fit an entire 120-yard football field. One end zone was too close to the right field wall, making it unsafe for an offense to play in that direction.

In 2013 though, Northwestern athletics agreed to a partnership with the Cubs that would bring five Northwestern football games, along with lacrosse and baseball games, to Wrigley. Northwestern baseball played there in 2013. Northwestern lacrosse played USC at Wrigley in 2014. None of the five football games have been scheduled.

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