So much for a bowl game at Wrigley Field.

Sources told the Tribune on Thursday the game is off, at least for now.

The breakdown in negotiations occurred because Cubs officials wanted a premier spot in the Big Ten bowl lineup — the ability to land the conference’s No. 3 or No. 4 team. When Big Ten officials queried schools, they responded that they would prefer a warm-weather destination.

The Cubs had the finances arranged for a bowl game at Wrigley but declined to make a deal for a lower-slotted Big Ten team. The sides amicably parted ways and said they might revisit a potential game.

“The Cubs wanted to have a higher-placed team and a potentially more excited fan base,” a source said. “The Cubs said they’re not looking for a lower-tier bowl game; they’re very selective in what they do.”

Eight Big Ten teams went to bowls last season. With the Rose Bowl hosting the Georgia-Oklahoma College Football Playoff semifinal, the conference lineup went like this: 1. Cotton (Arlington, Texas); 2. Orange (Miami Gardens, Fla.); 3. Fiesta (Glendale, Ariz.); 4. Outback (Tampa, Fla.); 5. Holiday (San Diego); 6. Music City (Nashville, Tenn.); 7. Pinstripe (New York); 8. Foster Farms (Santa Clara, Calif.).

The Tribune reported last month the sides had made “significant progress” toward a bowl game in 2020. The opponent likely would have come from the ACC.

tgreenstein@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @TeddyGreenstein

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