Chicago Cubs Fans Face Reality in Lawsuits Against Team

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Chicago Cubs fans at Wrigley Field

There may have been times in the long history of the Chicago Cubs franchise when fans were leery about showing their face in public, but this time the concern was about how their faces were being recorded — and the story ended quietly with the plaintiffs walking away.

The lawsuits, both in federal and Illinois state court, targeted the Cubs and their security contractors over alleged use of facial recognition software at Wrigley Field. Under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), which tightly regulates how biometric data like facial scans can be collected and used, the plaintiffs claimed that the team and co-defendants had improperly scanned fans’ faces without obtaining the written consent required under the law.

Lawsuits Allege Cubs Illegally Used Facial Recognition Software at Wrigley Field

In early October 2025, the named plaintiffs in the federal case — including Gabriel Berta and Jill Lichte — filed a notice of voluntary dismissal. A week later, similar state court claims led by Jason Spiese were dropped as well. Neither filing offered a public reason for the withdrawal of the claims.

The Cubs organization from the outset denied any wrongdoing. They stated publicly that they do not use facial recognition or biometric scanning on fans or staff, declaring that they intended to vigorously defend the case.

Why the abrupt exit? While the filings stopped short of a decisive ruling in the Cubs’ favor, there are clues. In previous BIPA suits against other organizations, defendants have succeeded by demonstrating that the alleged scans simply never happened or that their practices were already compliant.

What’s clear from a legal standpoint is that this outcome gives the Cubs a win — perhaps not a public victory, but a practical one. With the threat of potentially massive damages under BIPA (which can allow plaintiffs to claim $1,000 or $5,000 per violation) the case had serious stakes.

Chicago Cubs Earn Legal Win as Plaintiffs File Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

From a broader view, the case highlights how sensitive biometric-privacy law in Illinois has become. For venues and organizations that collect biometric data — fingerprints, face scans, voiceprints — the BIPA framework exposes them to lawsuits even if no actual harm is shown, so long as statutory steps (notice, written consent, data-policy disclosures) may have been missed.

In the end, fans of the Cubs may return to Wrigley Field without a second thought about their face being scanned — but the legal undercurrents of this case are still worth noting. For the organization, the dismissal means no ruling, but less risk. For other businesses in Illinois, especially those using biometric tech, the reminder is loud and clear: compliance isn’t optional.

Whether the plaintiffs may refile or other parties will bring similar claims remains to be seen. But for now, the Cubs can mark this chapter as one where, despite the high visibility of the accusations, the legal pressure deflated without ever reaching full trial.

Dave Benson is a veteran writer with over three decades of journalism experience covering sports primarily in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Dave is also a licensed English teacher and spent several years teaching at the middle school level. More about Dave Benson