As their deal with NBC Sports Chicago expires on October 1, three of the five major pro sports teams in Chicago, the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks, will partner up for a new network, the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN). Daniel Libit of Sportico reports the network is expected to launch in the fall with Blackhawks and Bulls preseason games and then the White Sox would start with the 2025 season.
Initially, it was believed the teams would move to Stadium, the multiplatform sports network with offices inside the United Center which is largely owned by Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. However, The Athletic’s Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus first had the report in early May that the teams would partner with Standard Media Group, a local broadcast and digital media company. Libit’s story says the network is a joint venture between Standard Media Group and the teams.
Interestingly, Jason Coyle, the previous CEO of Stadium will serve as the new CEO for Standard Media Group. “As we set out to design the network, we began and ended every discussion with the simple question: What is best for our fans?” said Coyle in a release. What is the best approach to distribution? How can we push the limits of both in-game and studio production? We plan to serve our fans on as many platforms and in as many markets as our rights allow.”
NBC Sports Chicago, which started as Comcast SportsNet Chicago, originally also included the Chicago Cubs. In 2019, however, the Cubs formed their own regional sports network with Sinclair Broadcast Group.
