BREAKING NEWS: Tim Cook Offers Chicago Cubs $200 Million for LGBT-Themed Rebrand — The Owner’s Response Sends Fans Into a Frenzy

In a move that has sparked national headlines and ignited passionate debate, Apple CEO and prominent LGBT advocate Tim Cook has reportedly offered the Chicago Cubs a $200 million sponsorship deal — but with one condition: the team must change the color of all stadium seats at Wrigley Field and update its logo on all social media platforms to reflect an LGBT-themed design throughout the 2025 MLB season.

The offer, which sources say was made directly to the Ricketts family — owners of the Chicago Cubs — would mark the largest individual sponsorship commitment in the team’s history. But it’s not just the money that’s turning heads — it’s the symbolism, timing, and boldness of the proposal.

A $200 Million Deal With A Message

Tim Cook, widely recognized for both his business leadership and LGBTQ+ activism, proposed that the Cubs adopt a full-season LGBT branding initiative at Wrigley Field, the second-oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. The plan includes changing all stadium seat colors to a spectrum of pride flag shades and temporarily updating the club’s iconic “C” logo on social media with rainbow variations during Pride Month and key equality-themed events.

The deal would include co-branded community programs, national ad campaigns, and Apple-sponsored LGBTQ+ initiatives in Chicago and across the country.

“This is not just about baseball,” said a source close to Cook. “It’s about using a global sports brand to promote inclusion and human rights. If the Cubs lead the way, others will follow.”

Cubs Ownership Responds — And Fans Erupt

Shortly after the news broke, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts issued a carefully worded but powerful public response:

“While we appreciate the generous offer and respect Tim Cook’s ongoing commitment to equality, the identity of the Chicago Cubs is rooted in tradition, history, and unity across all walks of life. We believe that inclusion is best demonstrated through action — not just aesthetics.”

The statement was interpreted by many as a respectful decline of Cook’s offer — and it set social media ablaze.

Fans and media personalities quickly took sides. Some praised the Cubs for preserving the sanctity of Wrigley Field’s century-old atmosphere and focusing on unity without leaning into symbolic gestures. Others criticized the organization for missing an opportunity to take a powerful public stand in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Within hours, #CubsPride and #StandWithWrigley were both trending on X (formerly Twitter), and debates exploded across sports talk shows, news outlets, and fan forums.

Mixed Reactions from the Sports World

ESPN analyst Jeff Passan commented:

“It’s a fascinating moment. You have a wildly successful tech executive offering a historic sum to a beloved sports franchise — and the response wasn’t a flat-out no, but a nuanced reflection of values. The Cubs are walking a tightrope between honoring tradition and answering today’s cultural calls.”

Meanwhile, outspoken MLB players and personalities began weighing in, with some urging teams to embrace such opportunities for inclusivity, while others voiced concern about politics and symbolism overshadowing sports.

Even former Cubs legends were reportedly split on the topic. While some expressed support for LGBTQ+ visibility in sports, others emphasized the importance of keeping Wrigley Field’s look and feel consistent with its deep-rooted heritage.

Wrigley Field: More Than Just a Stadium

The choice to target Wrigley Field — one of the most iconic venues in professional sports — is no coincidence. Its ivy-covered walls, red marquee, and classic seat layout represent not just the Cubs, but the enduring soul of baseball. Altering that aesthetic, even temporarily, is seen by many as a dramatic shift.

Still, Tim Cook’s supporters argue that real progress often comes through bold symbolism.

“Changing seat colors or a logo isn’t erasing history,” said an LGBTQ+ rights leader in Chicago. “It’s adding to it. It’s showing that baseball is for everyone — and that visibility matters.”

What Comes Next?

While the Cubs appear to have respectfully declined the exact terms of Cook’s offer, sources suggest private discussions are ongoing about potential collaborations with Apple on community-based initiatives or Pride Month programming that don’t require changing Wrigley Field’s design.

As fans continue to voice their opinions, one thing is certain: the intersection of sports, business, and social advocacy is growing stronger — and teams like the Chicago Cubs are finding themselves at the center of America’s evolving cultural conversation.

Whether or not the seats at Wrigley Field turn rainbow next season, the message has already been heard loud and clear: inclusion is no longer an option — it’s a challenge, and one that every team, fan, and executive must now face head-on.