The Cubs are basically "holding serve" with new TV deals, as they "aren't expected to pull in significantly more than" the estimated $60M value of their current local TV deals, which includes an ownership stake in CSN Chicago, according to Ed Sherman of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The Cubs recently agreed with WLS-ABC for 25 games and a package of 45 games with WGN-TV that was formally announced Thursday. The Cubs "weren't in line for a big payday this year because they didn't have their entire package of games available." The team "exercised a clause with WGN to get out of a contract" that ran through '22. Now all of its TV deals "will expire" in '19. That sets up '20 as the season in which the Cubs "could launch their own network that potentially could boost annual TV revenues" to the $150-200 million range, if not higher. Sherman wonders if the Dodgers' SportNet LA impasse is a "cautionary tale for the Cubs if they want to start their own network." Desser Sports Media President Ed Desser, who advised the Cubs on their deals, said, "The Dodgers' situation certainly is not the way the team wanted it to go. However, we're not in the ninth inning here; we're probably in the second" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/9). In Chicago, Robert Channick reports as part of the agreement, broadcasters Jim Deshaies and Len Kasper will be "employed by the Cubs." Previously, the TV broadcast team "worked for WGN." However, Cubs games "will not return" to WGN America. The national channel is in the process of "converting from a superstation to a cable network, ending years of local Chicago news and sports beamed to viewers across the U.S." Sources said that WGN paid about $250,000 per game and lost $200,000 per game last season because of "weak advertising revenue." Sources added that the new rights agreement is "likely to play out better for WGN ... despite a later start on ad sales" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/9).
