Where is the Megabandera?, Have you seen me? Options

[Section8]

It seems now is as good of a time as any to point this out.

Many of you have been wondering why the Megabandera has not been used this season. The ISA chairman and operations team spent considerable time and energy locating a facility to repair and rejuvenate the MB ahead of the 2008 season, way back in February/March. An appointment was scheduled, and transportation/logistics arranged for a weekday night to transport the MB to be fixed, and arrived at Toyota Park at the scheduled time.

After some searching, we were informed that the Chicago Fire had lost the Megabandera.

Lost. A 400-pound, 250'x70' screaming red banner, entrusted to the club's care. A $10,000 one, completely funded and constructed by Fire fans and used in every piece of marketing material the Fire has produced -- but whose real worth was priceless.

No one flew off the handle. No one screamed and shouted. The information was kept private for six months out of courtesy and respect for the Fire and its employees and to avoid needless ridicule and outcry. Even as we speak, procedures are in place to produce another, paid out of our own pockets again if necessary.

Your elected volunteer ISA reps make the decisions we do because we love our club, even in spite of itself.

Just thought you all might like to know that tonight.

[FireHearts91]

how is that possible?

[Mikebsiu]

They didnt lose it, you dont lose a huge ass banner, they simply dont want us to use it for some reason.

[Jay-Z]

Christ on a cracker...

If donations, etc, are needed, I'll be willing to chip in. Did we even manage to get an apology from the team about this? I mean, seriously, $10,000 down the drain?

We basically have no choice but to store something that big at the stadium, but if it's leaving our possession, it would be nice to get some sort of contract that states the team is going to take care of it. If they've lost it once, it's possible they'll lose it again...

Edit: Just answered my own question...

[KineticSolution]

That's pretty sad that they lost something that big. It's not like it's small when folded up.

[Neopolitan]

No conspiracy here. They simply lost it. We tore TP apart looking for it, but it is gone. Probably thrown out during the interior construction. Who knows.

[mactheknife]

uh....wait....wow

i mean, i wouldn't be so mad if it was just this, like this was the first incident of gross incompetence.

but between this, the alleged shit with SL, horrible communication between FO and security, and parking, etc....i don't even know what to say.

[Will Failure]

No conspiracy here. They simply lost it.

How do you "simply" lose something that weighs 400 pounds?

[Es Brennt]

How do you "simply" lose something that weighs 400 pounds?

Stop returning her calls?

[Eiki]

you have got to be fucking kidding me. coming from someone who has helped lug that thing around personally, i consider the thought that it could just "vanish" or be lost to be of the utmost lunacy.

[Neopolitan]

How do you "simply" lose something that weighs 400 pounds?

The Fire didn't keep it in any particular place. As I recall, it was last seen in an area that was used as storage but was under construction. It was in a wheeled container, that could easily be mistaken by an idiot (ie. TP staff) for trash.

Anyway, what I meant to say is that this happened well before the season and does not appear to be intentional in any way. Best guess is that thought it was trash and threw it away, probably without even checking to see what it was.

[jogadubwise]

How many banners have gone missing now? Argh.

[giaco]

unacceptable under any/all circumstances (excpet what is referred to as 'act of god').

How much of the new version will be paid for by the FO for this monumental cock-up? 100% 98%

[Chow]

Let me guess.....The Chicago Fire refuses to acknowledge that a Megabandera ever existed?

[tzimaki]

Mike Banner better hope his teammates never leave him alone in the locker room.