All seven of Chicago’s major-league professional sports teams signed on to a new public information campaign with a motto that would’ve been unthinkable in any year but 2020: “We Are Not Playing.”
The new campaign, announced Monday by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office, is intended to support the stay-at-home order in place throughout Illinois and most of the rest of the United States.
“The campaign … leverages the influence of sports teams and their players to drive compliance with the statewide Stay at Home Order,” according to a press release. “The message is clear: We are not playing — so neither should you!”
The campaign will be spread on digital and physical billboards throughout the area, then move onto online and social media channels, per the release.
Although no pro sports have taken place in the city in weeks, the motto is still jarring during a time where nearly every Chicago team would normally be either in-season or gearing up for it.
The Cubs were initially scheduled to have finished a six-game homestand Sunday and start a series in Pittsburgh on Monday. The White Sox were supposed to host the Mariners in a Monday matinee, starting their own series.
The Blackhawks would’ve just concluded their regular season Saturday against the Rangers, and the Fire would’ve hosted the Red Bulls that same day. The Bulls would be starting a pair of Staples Center road games, Monday against the Clippers and Wednesday against the Lakers, with two home games left on the schedule.
And the Sky and Red Stars would have been anticipating their season openers a few weeks away.
Instead, the entire Chicago sports scene — along with much of the rest of the city — is paused indefinitely.
Monday’s campaign announcement seeks to translate that blatantly obvious reality into day-to-day behavior changes for fans of the seven teams.
