Months of reporting about the Cubs-Sinclair RSN finally became official this week. Also: more exposure for the NFL Combine, an honor for Dick Vitale, and a pair of ESPNers will call Red Sox games on the radio this season.
Cubs officially partnering with Sinclair on new network
The Chicago Cubs officially announced Wednesday that it will partner with Sinclair Broadcast Group to launch a new regional sports network next year. The RSN, named Marquee Sports Network, will be the exclusive home of all Cubs games not broadcast nationally. Sinclair, which runs Stadium, Tennis Channel, and a right-wing local news operation, will not have a hand in the network’s programming, Cubs team president Crane Kenney told the Chicago Tribune.
Chicago’s 670 the Score first reported the Cubs’ intention to launch their own network last summer. The Chicago Sun-Times was first to report that the team would partner with Sinclair. [Cubs.com 2.13]
NFL Combine getting broadcast network exposure
ESPN announced this week that ABC will televise two hours of NFL Combine coverage March 2, marking the first time the event has aired on broadcast television. The Ringer first reported the news. The ABC telecast will feature quarterback and wide receiver drills.
ESPN has been expanding its NFL offerings on ABC. The broadcast network will televise all three days of the NFL Draft, airing a special, college-themed broadcast alongside ESPN’s traditional coverage on the first two nights. [ESPN PR 2.12]
Vitale information for your everyday life
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale will be honored with the lifetime achievement award at the Sports Emmys in May, it was announced this week. Vitale, who has been with ESPN since the network’s first year in 1979, joins John Madden as the only analysts to be so honored. [ESPN PR 2.12]
Berman, McDonough, to call Red Sox on radio
ESPN broadcasters Chris Berman and Sean McDonough will be part of a rotation of play-by-play voices calling Boston Red Sox games on WEEI this season, it was announced this week. McDonough, who served as the voice of the Red Sox from 1988-2004, will call approximately 30 games. He joins former Tigers voice Mario Impemba and former Mets voice Josh Lewin as the team’s primary radio voices. Berman, meanwhile, will call an Indians-Red Sox series in May. [WEEI 2.14 a, b; Chicago Tribune 2.15]
