CHICAGO — Jeff Luckey can empathize with the fans waiting in epically long lines to use the Wrigley Field bathrooms Sunday night during the Cubs' home opener.
"I know the feeling. It sucks, and it's always bad when someone doesn't make it, because I could have saved you here," said Luckey, the owner of Stadium Pal, an external catheter.
"Tickets aren't cheap, and you're paying to watch a game, not stand in line," Luckey added.
Luckey created the brand in 1998 after standing in line to use the facilities at a Cincinnati Bengals football game — he described it as "an ugly scene, where you felt like your bladder was going to explode." Later that night, he saw a TV report that 17 fans had been arrested at a Philadelphia Eagles football game for public urination.
"There was an issue out there and I thought maybe I could address it," Luckey said. "That's where Stadium Pal came from."
The Cubs on Monday apologized for the "extreme" bathroom wait times.
"Opening Day at Wrigley Field has always brought challenges with restroom wait times, and last night was particularly extreme. With 35,000 fans showing up in the ballpark, we were simply not prepared to handle guests during peak periods," said Julian Green, Cubs vice president of communications and community affairs.
Pro tip: if you're planning on going to the bathroom while at the #Cubs game...plan on NOT going! #StadiumPal
— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) April 6, 2015
Luckey last went to a game at Wrigley in 2003, sitting in the bleachers, and said he wore his own product.
The Stadium Pal is worn like a condom, according to its website, and 20-inch tubing connects the device to a 1,000ml collection bag. There's also a female version called Stadium Gal, Luckey said.
Wrigley better get that bathroom situaish figured out before 8/29, otherwise I'm going full Stadium Pal. @parker45 @foofighters @cheaptrick
— Phil (@BucksandBraves) April 6, 2015
Luckey said his Florida-based company has sold about 20,000 Stadium Pals and Gals since 1998. Most of the devices are bought by the elderly, with others purchased by sports aficionados.
"It's fun to help a sports fan, but it's better to help someone get their life back," Luckey said.
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