Just as I thought the rivalry between the North Side Cubs and the South Side Sox could not possibly get any worse, the big news was announced.

For the first time in the history of the Crosstown Classic, there will now be a trophy awarded to the winner of the inter-league series.

The trophy, reported to stand more than two feet high, will be given to the team

that wins the most games out of the six played this season. But if the teams tie at 3 wins apiece, the trophy will be awarded to whichever team wins the final game, which makes no logical sense to me.

The BP Crosstown Cup, sponsored by BP, or British Petroleum, is promoted as a prize that will give more meaning to the already-intense rivalry. However, it is nothing more than a mere marketing ploy for BP, as if their countless oil spills into U.S. water wasn’t enough.

During my tenure at Columbia, my former sports reporting professor Howard Schlossberg always told us when it comes to sports, “it’s all about the money.” He couldn’t have been more correct. This latest venture from BP, the Cubs and Sox proves just that.

The chairmen of both franchises continue to attempt to persuade us that this will intensify the rivalry and add weight to the passion and pride of the fans. Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a press release that “Cubs and Sox fans have always been passionate about this rivalry. The BP Crosstown Cup recognizes the excitement of winning the crosstown series.”

White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said he believes the Cup “will elevate Chicago’s summer baseball rivalry to a new level for fans on both sides of town.” I hardly believe that statement, especially because the Sox didn’t feel the need to send anyone from the front-office of the organization except a marketing director.

The Crosstown Classic is already the biggest matchup of the season for Chicago baseball fans. It is something that continues to serve as a divisive way to segregate the city. The reality is that the new prize will not have any effect on the bragging rights of the winning team. It’s just impossible for the rivalry to progress. It has already reached its peak. The trash talking will continue between managers, players and fans alike. Perhaps this is just a way to allow the Cubs and their fans to get a taste of what winning a trophy feels like, because we all know winning a World Series isn’t anywhere in their future.