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Chicago Sports Network

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Chicago Sports Network
CountryUnited States
Ownership
OwnerStandard Media
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Bulls
Chicago White Sox
Key peopleJason Coyle, CEO
History
Founded2024
Links
Websitechsn.com

Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) is an upcoming regional sports network owned by Standard Media, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Chicago Bulls, and the Chicago White Sox. It is expected to launch after the teams' contract with NBC Sports Chicago expires on October 1, 2024.

History

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Chicago's sports teams had originally vacated FSN Chicago in 2004 after Jerry Reinsdorf, Bill Wirtz, and the Tribune Company—the owners of the Bulls, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Cubs respectively—formed a new regional sports network with Comcast known as Comcast SportsNet Chicago (now NBC Sports Chicago). The network would be jointly owned by the four teams, while Comcast would hold a 30% stake and handle operations.[1][2]

The Cubs departed the network in 2020, forming Marquee with Sinclair Broadcast Group as the exclusive broadcaster of all regional Cubs games (the games had previously been split between NBC Sports Chicago, WGN-TV, and WLS-TV).[3][4] Concurrently in 2019, NBC Sports Chicago signed a five-year extension with the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox, making it the exclusive home of all three teams through the end of the 2023–24 season.[5][6][7]

In April 2024, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the three teams were in negotiations with Stadium to assume their regional rights after the conclusion of their contract with NBC Sports Chicago.[8] Stadium is owned by the White Sox's investment arm Silver Chalice, and had previously been a joint venture with Sinclair until they sold their stake in 2023.[9] In May 2024, The Athletic subsequently reported an agreement with Standard Media that would involve a newly launched multi-platform regional sports network;[10] the Sun-Times later reported that Standard Media would primarily serve as a funding and distribution partner, and that Stadium was to serve as the teams' new home.[11]

On June 3, 2024, the three teams and Standard Media officially announced Chicago Sports Network; it will be led by former Stadium CEO Jason Coyle.[12][13] Unlike most regional sports networks, Chicago Sports Network is expected to be made available via over-the-air networks and streaming services along with traditional cable providers.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Comcast To Launch New Sports Net Along With Chicago Teams". Sports Business Journal. December 2, 2003. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  2. ^ "CSN Chicago Is Born; New Net To Launch In 1.5 Million HHs". Sports Business Journal. December 3, 2003. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  3. ^ Jesse Rogers (February 13, 2019). "Cubs launching a network of their own, Marquee Sports Network". ESPN. ESPN Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  4. ^ Phil Rosenthal (February 13, 2019). "The Cubs are starting a new TV channel in 2020. Here's what that means for fans". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  5. ^ "NBC Sports Chicago Announces New Pact With White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks". WMAQ-TV. NBC Owned Television Stations. January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  6. ^ Teddy Greenstein (January 2, 2019). "NBC Sports Chicago announces multiyear deal with the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "While Cubs prepare to launch Marquee, Hawks, Bulls & Sox return to NBCSCH". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. December 19, 2018.
  8. ^ "White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks near deal to make Stadium their new TV home". Chicago Sun-Times. 2024-04-16. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  9. ^ Lafayette, Jon (May 30, 2023). "Sinclair Sells Control of Stadium to Jerry Reinsdorf's Silver Chalice". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Lazerus, Scott Powers and Mark. "Blackhawks, Bulls, White Sox find new partner, broadcast home". The Athletic. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  11. ^ "Stadium, Standard Media Group working to launch network for White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks". Chicago Sun-Times. 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  12. ^ "Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) to Launch as New Home to the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox". www.nba.com. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Libit, Daniel (June 3, 2024). "Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks to Launch Chicago Sports Network". Sportico.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  14. ^ "Chicago Sports Network set to air Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox games". The AP. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
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