Cubs likely to start their own TV network |
The Chicago Cubs want some of that big television money after the 2019 major league season. At that time, their current contracts will be up and they can start their own network like the New York Yankees' YES Network.
“We have a big passion for controlling our own destiny,” Craig Kenney, the Cubs president of business operations said on Saturday. “It’s sort of like conversations in the real estate market. We like controlling our own destiny. You start adding partners and it becomes a lot more complicated.” The Cubs have had a good partnership with television but they are ready to do it on their own. “(Bulls and White Sox Chairman) Jerry Reinsdorf has been an amazing partner, as has Comcast,” Kenney said. “It’s been a very successful thing. If it made the ultimate sense, it would (make sense to stay). But I’d say at the moment we’re 80 percent inclined to do it on our own.” Kenny believes that once the new television money comes in that it will be a game changer for the team. “We’ve never lost focus on this because it’s such a big (deal) and a game-changer for us,” Kenney said. “And two years ago, Theo Epstein … said the next TV deal could present a ‘paradigm shift.’" Kelly thinks that something could be announced this year as they don't want to wait until the last minute to get things done. “It’s a good time to have a great club on the field and our rights coming back. We don’t want to go into the 2019 season without a partner. So something probably happens this year."
