Chicago Cubs and WGN-TV sign new broadcast rights agreement

CHICAGO, January 8, 2015 -The Chicago Cubs and Tribune Broadcasting's WGN-TV today announced a new five-year agreement under which the local station will televise 45 games annually beginning with the 2015 season. This new agreement continues a broadcasting partnership that spans more than 60 years. Specific terms of the agreement were not released.  

As part of the new agreement, broadcasters Jim Deshaies and Len Kasper will become employees of the Chicago Cubs after previously being employed through WGN-TV.

"Cubs fans have grown accustomed to watching Cubs baseball on WGN since 1948, so we are pleased to continue this longstanding tradition through our new broadcast agreement," said Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney. "We are very excited to begin a new chapter of Cubs baseball with WGN and welcome Jim Deshaies and Len Kasper, two of the best broadcasters in the business, as teammates in our organization."

"We're pleased to enter into this new agreement, which continues our longstanding, historic partnership with the Cubs and we're looking forward to some great baseball," said Larry Wert, President of Broadcast Media for Tribune Media. "The positive moves made by the Cubs, including the hiring of Joe Maddon, the signing of Jon Lester, and the club's investment in Wrigleyville will be great for our city. We believe in the Cubs and the Ricketts family, and we look forward to growing the fan base even further for both the Cubs and WGN-TV."