Baseball fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the season, but for Cubs and White Sox enthusiasts, the excitement is tempered by limited access to spring training games. The Marquee Sports Network, which broadcasts Cubs games, and the Chicago Sports Network, home to White Sox broadcasts, are only scheduled to air a fraction of the team's spring training matches. This has sparked frustration among fans who feel their demand for live coverage is being ignored.
The situation is a stark contrast to previous years, where both networks offered more comprehensive coverage. In 2020, Marquee aired 28 out of 34 spring training games, and as recently as 2024, that number dropped to 27 out of 35. The Chicago Sports Network, despite laying off digital and editorial staff, has managed to broadcast more games than the half-dozen they used to air annually on NBC Sports Chicago. However, the quality of these broadcasts is questionable, with some fans arguing that they prefer live, unedited content over pre-recorded or edited shows.
The financial pressures on regional sports networks (RSNs) are significant. Cord-cutting and the rise of streaming have disrupted the traditional business model, making it challenging to generate revenue from advertising. The cost of producing spring training games, where starters might not play for long, is high, and the advertising dollars don't justify an extensive broadcast schedule. This has led to a reduction in coverage, with some teams, like the Dodgers and Yankees, continuing to offer extensive live coverage.
Surprisingly, the Padres, no longer part of an RSN, will air a team-record 21 spring games for free, all distributed by MLB. The Cardinals, who joined the Padres under MLB management, will also stream 16 spring games for free, with half of them available over the air. This approach has proven successful, as it allows fans to watch games on broadcast TV, a format that many prefer.
The Cubs and Sox, despite facing financial constraints, have made choices that have drawn criticism. While it might make financial sense to reduce spring coverage, it comes at a cost to their reputation. The networks' decision to air fewer games has sparked debate among fans, who argue that the networks should prioritize live, unedited content over pre-recorded shows or replays.
