One of the good things about the Chicago Cubs moving to Marquee Sports Network is that fans get to see almost every single game during spring training. Maybe that doesn't matter for some, but for other fans that want as much Cubs baseball in their life as possible, being able to watch them play in late February and throughout March is pretty cool.
While the Cubs will continue to broadcast the majority of their spring training games on Marquee in 2024, the network is making some cuts that will affect coverage down in Arizona this year.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Marquee Sports Network will air most Cubs spring training games remotely, as Cubs TV duo Jon Sciambi and Jim Deshaies will be broadcasting the opening weekend games and then be in and out of the booth after that.
The red flag that popped up for Cubs fans was this line from the article.
Via the Chicago Sun-Times.
Most of the remaining games will be called remotely. While the availability of broadcasters is part of the equation, sources say Marquee also is looking to cut costs and focus on regular-season game and shoulder programming.
All right, so the article goes on to say that Zach Zaidman, who does Cubs radio on 670 The Score and Iowa Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen will be the two other main broadcasters while Sciambi is away calling college basketball action during March. I get that Zaidman annoys a lot of Cubs fans, but let's be honest here, it's spring training, most of you that will tune in aren't going to be paying too close of attention to the games after the first few innings anyway.
Yet, while there weren't any indications that the Cubs are getting ready to make their broadcasters cover regular season games remotely, I think it's fair for fans to raise an eyebrow about that potentially being discussed by executives down the line to save even more money. That would really suck because there is a huge difference between listening to announcers call a game live at the ballpark compared to the inside of a studio.
For spring training? We'll be fine. But if the Cubs ever cut back even a little bit to save on travel expenses or whatever else for regular season games, fuck that. Also, I think I can speak for most Cubs fans, all we want on Marquee, which again, is the home of the Cubs, is just to focus on the Cubs. Give us Sciambi and JD in the booth. There's really no need for a sideline reporter, but if they continue with that, then how about no more awkward cut-ins during important times of the game.
Also, enough with the 3-man booths. Again, this shouldn't be too hard. Give fans the same two announcers every day and talk about the Cubs. We don't need puff pieces about the Pittsburgh Pirates 7th reliever while I'm watching a Cubs broadcast. Save that shit for ESPN.
Also, also, how about using whatever money is being saved here and using it to sign good players. Thanks.
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