Sinclair-Cubs Sports Net Names Top Leadership

Marquee Sports Network has appointed Michael McCarthy general manager. He will be responsible for driving the success of regional sports network set to launch in February 2020 in partnership with Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Marquee Sports Network, a new regional sports network, will be the exclusive television home of the Chicago Cubs starting in February 2020. It will feature live game broadcasts from Chicago Cubs broadcasters Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies, extensive pregame and postgame coverage, in-depth unique Cubs content and other local sports programming. Sinclair is the network’s broadcast partner.

McCarthy served as president of MSG Network where he was responsible for revenue and content across all platforms, winning more than 75 Emmy Awards and helping launch the careers of nationally known broadcasters such as Mike Breen, Gus Johnson and Doris Burke. McCarthy also was vice chairman and CEO of the St. Louis Blues and was the COO of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Since August of 2018 McCarthy was a consultant for the Chicago Cubs in the evaluation and formation of the Marquee Sports Network launch strategy.

“We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Mike and his proven ability to drive results over the past several months at Marquee,” said Crane Kenney, president of business operations for the Chicago Cubs. “With his combined sports and media background, Mike is the right person to bring our network online and deliver unprecedented Cubs coverage for our fans.”

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the launch of the first independent regional sports network for the Chicago Cubs,” said McCarthy. “The recent transformation of this iconic brand is incredibly impressive and the next big effort to better serve Cubs fans is the launch of Marquee. For years, I watched the Cubs become a nationally recognized brand. For that reason, I’m honored and intensely motivated by the confidence the Ricketts family, Sinclair and the Cubs have placed in me to add to the incredible broadcasting experience enjoyed by fans for the past 70 years.”