On one level, this makes perfect sense. Sinclair Broadcast Group, a vile machine that pumps out MAGA propaganda, is partnering with the Chicago Cubs, a franchise owned by a family with, well you already know what Papa Ricketts is all about.
Just in case you forgot about Joe Ricketts’ donations to Donald Trump, he reminded you who he is in the recent leaked emails showcasing his bigotry and Islamophobia. At 6 a.m. central time this morning (because hey, let’s make sure everybody in Chicago starts their hump day with this news), the long discussed Cubs Network plans were finally made official.
I guess all that bluster about Joe Ricketts' hate-filled emails not really representing the Cubs was just so much airy bullshit, given how they're climbing into bed with Sinclair, the Fox News For REALLY Low Class Folk Network. https://t.co/NuEieDS2gO
— Neil Steinberg (@NeilSteinberg) February 13, 2019
“We are excited to better serve our fans with expanded and exclusive programming showcasing our remarkable players, beloved ballpark and storied past,” reads a statement from Chicago Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney.
“Our dedicated ‘Cubs-centric’ network will carry all available Cubs games and feature uncompromising, in-depth and behind-the-scenes coverage.”
That enterprise now officially has a name- Marquee Sports Network. Starting in 2020…well to paraphrase the late Steve Goodman and his hit “Go Cubs Go”:
“you can catch it all on Marquee Sports Network”
Extreme Racist Owner – Joe Ricketts
And now
A deal with Sinclair?
This #Cubs franchise is rapidly becomong very unlikable. https://t.co/YAh82SApCX
— Hersey (@Squatchman05) February 13, 2019
So who is Sinclair? Well, they’re basically FOX News Channel, but arguably worse/more evil. FOX and Sinclair are basically the meme of the two Spidermans pointing at each other.
Sinclair owns nearly 240 television stations in the U.S. and that number is so high only due to gutting of government regulations. In April, they forced their own news anchors to record a promo about “the troubling trend of irresponsible, one sided news stories plaguing our country.”
It’s Orwellian doublespeak “War is Peace,” “Ignorance is Strength,” “Freedom is Slavery” in its truest form. Watch the script in action over at this link. Will the Cubs be able to keep the politics and sports separate?
Like FOX does? (except around Veteran’s Day, when every single sports network morphs into a 24-hour informercial for the armed services). I guess we’ll just have to see.
Why did the Cubs make a devil’s bargain like this?
Well, launching a cable network is harder than ever these days, as you have to deal with increased carriage costs on one end, cord-cutting on the other. Nevertheless, the Cubs have certainly long buried the “lovable losers” label now forever. Today, is another layer of cement poured over the burial site of that phrase.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.