The White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks announced a fresh multi-year, multi-platform media rights deal with NBC Sports Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago+ on Wednesday that will take effect in the 2019-2020 season.
There it is #whitesox #Bulls #blackhawks fans pic.twitter.com/EzXQKTyti9
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“The Chicago White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks have provided countless memorable moments for this city’s fans, and NBC Sports Chicago has been dedicated to immersive coverage of each and every one,” said David Preschlack in a press release from the White Sox. Preschlack is President of NBC Sports Regional Networks and Platform & Content Strategy. “This is a significant agreement, and we are proud to continue to provide the most comprehensive, multi-platform coverage of these historic franchises.”
The Sox meted out a multi-year agreement with WGN Radio in Feb. 2018. The network also hosted pre- and post-game shows as well as several televised broadcasts over WGN-TV. This was the first exclusive rights to radio broadcasts between the White Sox and WGN. It is unknown whether this deal will be affected by the multi-platform nature of the media-rights deal just announced with NBC Sports Chicago.
Jeff Nuich of NBC Sports Chicago confirmed in an email Wednesday that the new deal will take effect on Oct. 1, 2019. Nuich also confirmed that all of the broadcasters for each organization are anticipated to remain onboard once the updated deal begins. He did not disclose financial details of the agreement.
Jerry Reinsdorf is chairman of the White Sox and Bulls and is certain to improve the solvency of each franchise with this deal. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available. Reinsdorf added in the press release that,
“We are very pleased to extend our relationship with our partners at NBC Sports Chicago. … In addition to being the experts in consistently delivering the finest game and surrounding game coverage in the business, it is their year-round commitment to providing our fans with innovative and entertaining multi-platform content that makes NBC Sports Chicago among the very best in the regional sports industry. Chicago sports fans are the greatest, and we are pleased that this agreement allows for the very best access to Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox live action and content.”
Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz was quoted in the press release saying,
“Blackhawks fans should be very excited that we are continuing our partnership with NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to raising the bar on our game day broadcasts, NBC Sports Chicago has elevated non-game day television coverage and evolved their digital and social media platforms into some of the most viewer-friendly in the industry.”
This article will be updated with information as it becomes available.
