In Chicago, Mark Gonzales notes the Cubs' season opener April 2 against the Cardinals in St. Louis is "one of at least six games that will be televised" by ESPN. Fox is "scheduled to carry at least four Cubs games on a regional basis," and CSN Chicago will "televise up to 81 games." The team's April 5 game against the Cardinals will be the "first of 45 televised" by WGN. WLS-ABC will "televise 25 games, starting with the April 12 game" against the Dodgers that will "start with a pregame ceremony" in which the Cubs will receive their World Series rings (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/17).
CALL IT A COMEBACK: In DC, Scott Allen notes ESPN Radio 980 DC, which is owned by Redskins Owner Dan Snyder's Red Zebra Broadcasting, will "remain the Redskins flagship station." The team on Wednesday announced WMAL-AM will also "carry games" beginning in '17. WMAL's coverage will "also feature one hour of pregame and one hour of postgame Redskins Radio Network programming." Redskins games "were broadcast on WMAL" from '42-56 and from '63-91 (WASHINGTON POST 2/17).
DOUBLE BOGEY: Golf HOFer Greg Norman said his departure from the Fox broadcast booth in January '16 was "poorly handled," as people should "get fired for the right reasons." Norman: "I was rolled under the bus. ... The producer wanted to get somebody else that he liked in there, who he worked with before, and basically that was it" (MENSJOURNAL.com, 2/16).
