Disney, NBC Sports and other media companies are interested in partnering with the CubsGETTY IMAGES
The Cubs will "pull away from their partnership" with NBC Sports Chicago and "start their own television venture" in October '19, according to sources cited by Bruce Levine of Chicago-based WSCR-AM. Sources said that the Cubs hired former MSG Network President and Blues CEO Mike McCarthy "to lead the television venture moving forward." The Cubs are "still contemplating bringing in a carrier to oversee the production for their own regional network or possibly going it alone by producing and selling their own product." Sources said that Disney and NBC Sports, along with other big media companies, are "interested in a partnership with the Cubs." Levine noted the Cubs in '04 partnered with the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks to help create then-called Comcast SportsNet Chicago, with each team owning 20% of the RSN. The White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks have hired former CSN Chicago VP & GM Phil Bedella to "help run their next regional sports network" (670THESCORE.com, 8/27). NBC Sports Chicago last night issued a statement that reads, "We're still in negotiations with our team partners and remain fully committed to the sports business in Chicago." In Chicago, Mark Gonzales notes the Cubs also air games on WLS-ABC and WGN-Ind. in addition to NBC Sports Chicago, but by "ending their agreements" after the '19 season, they "have the opportunity to control their own programming and increase revenues significantly" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 8/28). Also in Chicago, Bruce Miles notes the idea of the Cubs creating their own RSN is "hardly new -- they have been talking about it for several years" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 8/28).
IDEAS STARTING TO COME INTO FOCUS: THE ATHLETIC's Patrick Mooney notes the potential Cubs RSN is "gradually coming into focus." It is "not hard to envision the Cubs using private equity money to help start their own channel." They could build their studio programming "around Chicago media personality David Kaplan" and simulcast shows on WSCR, the team's "flagship station." The organization also has been "quietly ramping up Cubs Productions, an in-house operation that gets the kind of unique behind-the-scenes access that a local TV station could only dream about" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/28). AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Sean Keeley wrote the Cubs "aren't the Yankees in terms of value and visibility, but they're certainly as popular and successful as they've ever been." There is "no time like right now to establish their own network and ensure an even stronger revenue stream so that they can continue to compete with the rest of the league if and when their recent run of good fortune runs out" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 8/27).
