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]