Following in the footsteps of the New York Yankees which launched its YES network last year, the Chicago White Sox and Cubs are set to leave News Corp.'s Fox Sports Net, their local cable channel, to form their own regional sports network.
Each baseball team has a long-term contract with Fox Sports Net, but it is thought that a clause to end the contract can be exercised by the end of the year.
Comcast Corp., the new cable provider for the Chicago area, is believed to be interested in becoming partners in the proposed channel with Tribune Co., owner of the Cubs.
In addition to the White Sox and the Cubs, NBA franchise the Chicago Bulls, operated by Cubs' owner Jerry Reinsdorf, and NHL's Blackhawks might also be part of the broadcast package.
Fox Sports Net currently carries 72 regular-season Cubs games, 102 White Sox games, 44 Bulls games and 39 Blackhawks games.
