CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 02: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs celebrate with his teammates after defeating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in Game Seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on November 2, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The days of the Chicago Cubs as an underdog are long gone. These days, they’re one of Major League Baseball’s premiere franchises. A perennial playoff club, they’re two years removed from a World Series title and find themselves in a good position to get back there once more this season. Off the field, The Ricketts Family has not only overseen the rejuvenation of the franchise but they’re also in the midst of remaking the area surrounding Wrigley Field in their image. They bought up just about every piece of real estate they can and they’re changing Wrigleyville from a blue-collar neighborhood into a luxury playground. Goodbye Taco Bell, hello high-end restaurants.

In other words, the Cubs are no longer a baseball team. They’re a brand and a successful one at that. And as the American sports gods have decreed in the 21st Century, the Cubs cannot simply let their games be broadcast on someone else’s network. They must have a network to call their own.

Per 670 The Score, the Cubs plan to part ways with NBC Sports Chicago in order to start their own TV network as soon as October 2019.

The NBC Sports Group, the Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks all currently have a 20 percent stake in NBC Sports Chicago but the current broadcasting rights deal ends in October of next year. The four pro teams and Comcast SportsNet formed the partnership back in 2004 (The RSN rebranded in 2017 after Comcast took over NBCUniversal) in order to increase revenue for each of them over their previous deals with WGN and other networks. That worked out well but the Cubs have pulled away from the other franchises in terms of success, visibility, and brand appreciation, giving them the leverage they need to start their own venture.

According to The Score, it’s unclear exactly what the Cubs plan is, though the franchise is apparently “contemplating bringing in a carrier to oversee the production for their own regional network or possibly going it alone by producing and selling their own product.” According to their sources, Disney and NBC Sports are also both interested in partnering with the Cubs in the venture.

However it happens, there’s no doubt it’s going to get done. The Cubs aren’t the Yankees in terms of value and visibility, but they’re certainly as popular and successful as they’ve ever been. There’s no time like right now to establish their own network and ensure an even stronger revenue stream so that they can continue to compete with the rest of the league if and when their recent run of good fortune runs out.

[670 The Score]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.