Thursday saw a rarity in Chicago sports not unlike the northern lights or a Cubs World Series appearance.
The Media Advertising Club of Chicago's annual luncheon at the Marriott Chicago brought together the chairmen of the city's five major franchises to hold court on a variety of topics.
In a discussion moderated by Comcast SportsNet's David Kaplan, Rocky Wirtz (Blackhawks), Jerry Reinsdorf (Bulls, White Sox), Rom Ricketts (Cubs), George McCaskey (Bears) and Andrew Hauptman (Fire) fielded a variety of questions in front of several hundred attendees.
The five powehouse figures didn't break any news or start any fights, but they did have their share of zingers, many courtesy of Reinsdorf. Here were our favorites.
"It's not like Tom [Ricketts]. Their acquisition fee [for the Cubs] was $1 billion, ours was $100."
-Bears owner George McCaskey, comparing what his family paid for its franchise to what the Cubs paid for theirs
"We could win six World Series in a row, and no Cubs fan is gonna say 'I'm a White Sox fan.'"
-Jerry Reinsdorf, on how he perceives the competition with the Cubs. He added that the Sox prefer to focus on themselves.
"What I learned early on is that Cubs cans didn't hate the White Sox, they hated White Sox fans."
-Jerry Reinsdorf, joking about Chicago's baseball rivalry
"I love to get criticized in the morning, to hear from someone ripping me. And I have had a lot of practice because my wife does it."
-Jerry Reinsdorf, joking about how he feels about media and fan criticism in Chicago
"I'm very much opposed to junking up uniforms like NASCAR and European soccer. I think it would be the wrong thing and fans wouldn't like it. That would go against the public trust that we have."
-Jerry Reinsdorf, on whether leagues should pursue all forms of advertising revenue.
"I've actually never been to a Super Bowl. I'm hoping the Bears get there soon so i have a good excuse to go."
-Tom Ricketts, when asked what is on his sports "bucket list"
"Feb. 1, 2015."
-George McCaskey, providing a quick reply to Ricketts
"I know this sounds crazy, but I love dogs so i would love to go to the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. I would love to present the trophy for Best in Show."
-Rocky Wirtz, when asked what is on his sports "bucket list"
"I have wonderful news for every Bears fan in this room: I do not involve myself in player personnel decisions."
-George McCaskey. He did say he would make exceptions for players whose character might be questionable.
"If you trade Michael Jordan and we win a championship, you will be executive of the year, but you will accept the award posthumously."
-Jerry Reinsdorf, on former general manager Jerry Krause's hypothetical question about whether he could trade Michael Jordan