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StubHub site upgrade causes problems for Chicago Cubs and MLB fans looking to sell and buy tickets

A StubHub site upgrade has been creating issues for some Chicago Cubs fans.StubHub’s platform underwent an upgrade June 6 in what was expected to improve its capabilities. When it was implemented, the company expected some areas of the site might experience breakages. However, the changes triggered a range of issues that impacted Cubs fans’ ability to sell and buy tickets.AdvertisementThe main problems featured an inability to post season tickets for sale, transfer purchased tickets to the buyer, remove ticket listings and missing inventory for individual Cubs games. There also have been instances in which posted tickets have erroneously been allowed to sell twice.StubHub removed all MLB ticket listings for games between June 6-9 when they initiated the application overhaul. Since then, the Cubs’ Tuesday home game against the San Diego Padres was also removed and did not show on their site, preventing the sale of any tickets that day through the fan resale site.Advertisement“We have unfortunately seen some bugs resurface since initially being resolved earlier this week,” a StubHub spokesperson told the Tribune. “As with all issues we have experienced as a result of the update, we are working to resolve them quickly and on a daily basis. The MLB integration is a sophisticated one that has a number of codependent systems, all of which are critical to get right for a fully reliable and smooth process for both the season ticket holders and our buyers. Correcting these issues is our No. 1 priority.”Fans applaud as Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) walks to the dugout May 16, 2022, after hitting a grand slam during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)StubHub anticipates it will take them the next few weeks for the majority of breakage driven by the upgrade to be fixed.Viagogo purchased StubHub from eBay in 2020, and the merger was approved in September. When Viagogo took over, the plan was to combine the best aspects and capabilities of each platform. That required system upgrades on StubHub to create improved functionality. In the process, which began last week, site breakages have occurred.StubHub says “issues are being resolved on a rolling basis” and the company believes its initial weeks-based timeline for the site to be fully upgraded and operational remains accurate.In the short-term, though, Cubs fans might be affected when selling or buying tickets on the platform.The Cubs are aware of the situation.“This issue is certainly not ideal for any customer who is looking to use the platform and, to be frank, it’s downright frustrating and unacceptable from a fan’s point of view,” a Cubs spokesperson told the Tribune. “We certainly share in that feeling. But that said, I think it’s also important to note that StubHub has been a longtime partner. They have certainly been accessible and transparent throughout this whole process to help resolve this issue. They’ve given us every reassurance that they’re working very hard to fix this as quickly as possible.”AdvertisementChicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.The Cubs are not the only major-league team impacted. StubHub, an official MLB ticket partner, indicated varying issues with their platform have affected an unspecified number of teams. “We are in frequent communication with StubHub on this matter,” MLB said in a statement to the Tribune. “They have assured us that they are working hard to resolve this as soon as possible for the benefit of our fans.”Certain features on the site are still being implemented, including a ballpark seat map, that StubHub described as a “multiweek phase.”For Cubs fans who have been prevented from posting their tickets for sale since StubHub’s site issues began June 7, the glitches have been a frustrating hindrance to potentially recoup money for summer games at Wrigley Field — even during the team’s 10-game losing streak. Breakages on the site led some Cubs ticket holders to try to sell their tickets on social media over the last week.It is not yet clear whether StubHub will offer some sort of compensation for fans who attempted to sell their tickets.Advertisement“We do not guarantee the sale of any listing on our site, however, unique and exceptional instances warrant considerations to support sellers above and beyond our policy,” a company spokesperson said. “We are actively reviewing where errors were made with active or completed sales and considering how we may make this right for sellers.”

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Building an opera in the waiting room

Credit: Coco Picard Editor’s note: Coco Picard spoke to Chicago artist and School of the Art Institute of Chicago assistant professor Anna Martine Whitehead in early…

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Liam Hendriks is hoping for a quick return to the Chicago White Sox: ‘They say 3 weeks, I’m targeting July 1’

DETROIT — Liam Hendriks is used to getting the final three outs as the Chicago White Sox closer.Recently, he has been limited to watching the action unfold.Advertisement”I was going stir crazy in the bullpen (Tuesday),” Hendriks said before Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers.The right-hander is recovering after being placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right forearm strain.Advertisement”I’ve had a tear in my UCL since ‘08,” Hendriks said. “It’s been there, that’s been manageable, I’ve been able to deal with it. But over the course of this year my elbow has been constantly inflamed a little more than usual.“It got to the point where it was inflamed, it was getting a little uncertain, there’s a slight forearm strain in there, so we’re taking care of that. The ligament hasn’t changed, nothing has changed on any other end that way, so it’s a mild strain, hopefully get back out there. They say three weeks, I’m targeting July 1.”Hendriks last pitched Friday, when he struck out one in a scoreless ninth to wrap up an 8-3 win against the Texas Rangers at Guaranteed Rate Field.White Sox closer Liam Hendriks celebrates getting the save as they defeat the Cubs, May 4, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)Kendall Graveman handled ninth-inning duties Monday in a 9-5 win against the Tigers. Reynaldo López got the ball in the ninth Tuesday in a 5-1 victory after Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth. José Ruiz got the final out Wedneday in a 13-0 win.If the Sox are in a save situation this weekend in Houston, Graveman — who spent parts of last season pitching for the Astros — or Kelly are the most likely options.Graveman has 12 career saves, including two this season. He was a starter with the Oakland A’s from 2015-18 before working out of the bullpen with the Seattle Mariners. Kelly has five career saves, two coming last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.“Kendall’s got experience saving games, you saw that last year (with Seattle),” Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Tuesday. “Certainly capable of doing it. Joe Kelly certainly has the stuff to pull it off. And in various situations, we might have to mix and match a little bit. With (Aaron) Bummer down, he’s obviously currently not an option, but some point when he returns, hopefully in the next couple of weeks, he’ll probably be in that mix as well if Liam’s not active yet.”Bummer went on the injured list retroactive to June 9 with a left lat strain. The left-hander, who has a 3.06 ERA, nine holds and one save, was out May 7-22 with a right knee strain.Advertisement“I’ve been talking to you guys more about coming in and off the injured list than anything,” Bummer said Tuesday. “It’s frustrating, especially when I felt like I was starting to roll, both times. I thought I was throwing the ball pretty well, taking steps forward. It’s frustrating to be sitting on the sidelines again, but hopefully it’s a short stint and we’ll be back and be able to continue that groove.”Tanner Banks stepped up recently as a left-handed option. He threw two hitless innings Sunday against the Rangers and one the next night against the Tigers.“I’m really trying to bear down and trust my routine every day and trust my approach,” Banks said Tuesday. “Try to eliminate thinking as much as I can through pregame preparation and then just try to throw strikes and let my defense do their job. And they have.”The bullpen has been tested — including last weekend with consecutive extra-inning games against the Rangers. Hendriks, who has a 2.81 ERA and 16 saves, is looking forward to getting back in that mix.“It’s a matter of getting this done safely and getting me back out there to pitch, that’s the big thing for me,” he said. “I also want to be able to go when I get back and not be coddled or babied. Be able to go back-to-back.“I’m not concerned with it long term at all. You see forearm flexor strain (is a) precursor to a lot of things. But there’s been no change in my ligament, and that’s the good thing. That was one of the relieving parts of it. There was no damage to that, just a slight sprain.”AdvertisementMeanwhile, he’ll be watching his fellow relievers contribute.“We’ve got a lot of guys who are willing to come in,” Hendriks said. “We’ve had a lot of guys over there with a higher workload than they would have had in previous years. Some guys making their debuts, guys who have never pitched in back-to-back games. Doing that from the get-go it’s always going to wear on you a little bit.“But luckily we’ve got a couple veterans toward the end there that will help out, (and) once the starters get rolling and start getting into deeper games, we’re going to be searching for (relief) innings out there.”