Comcast provides service to more than half of the homes in the Chicago marketgetty images
Marquee Sports Network GM Mike McCarthy "wouldn't reveal much" regarding the carriage talks between his network and Comcast, but he is "confident a deal will get done," according to Jeff Agrest of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. McCarthy said, "There's a little time left (before Opening Day). It's closing in on us; we're very aware of that. We remain confident that a deal will be made." Agrest notes the sides were "very close to an agreement in March when baseball shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic." Comcast provides service to "more than half of the homes" in the Chicago market (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/17).
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY: McCarthy said that airing games without fans "will only enhance" Wrigley Field's appearance. McCarthy: "This sounds like I'm trying to write like John Steinbeck or something, but I think it's more beautiful when it's empty." The SUN-TIMES' Agrest notes the plan was "always to make the ballpark a co-star of the broadcast." McCarthy said that that "can be done even better by putting robotic cameras in places where they would have otherwise obstructed fans' views." McCarthy said, "There are so many things we can do in the fanless environment -- microphones, cameras being mounted -- to bring perspectives to Wrigley that people haven't seen before" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/17).
