Marquee Sports Network

What Marquee Sports Network does

Marquee Sports Network, LLC is a regional sports network (RSN) operating as a joint venture between the Chicago Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group, founded in February 2020 and headquartered at 3721 N. Clark St., Chicago. The company is the exclusive local television home of Chicago Cubs baseball within the Cubs TV territory (Illinois excluding select counties, parts of Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin), holding rights to all non-nationally televised regular season games, spring training games, and extensive Cubs minor league programming across the Iowa Cubs, Knoxville Smokies, South Bend Cubs, and Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Marquee distributes content through traditional cable and satellite providers (Xfinity, DirecTV, fuboTV), streaming platforms (Hulu + Live TV, Prime Video), and direct-to-consumer via WatchMarquee.com and the Marquee Sports Network App, with the DTC subscription priced at $19.99 per month and accessible across iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung TV.

The core product portfolio consists of the Marquee linear channel plus the DTC streaming app, supported by a slate of original programming: Cubs Live! (pregame), Cubs Postgame Live!, Road to Wrigley Live! (minor league whiparound), Cubs 360, Cubs Classics, Cubs Flicks, Icons of the Ivy, Marquee Sports Network Films, Cubs Cornerstones, Hollywood and Ivy, and Inside the Fire (Chicago Fire FC partnership). Marquee Insider Newsletter, Community Showcase (student-produced high school and college sports), and the Circa Walk-Off to Vegas Sweepstakes are non-broadcast engagement products. The network has earned nine Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards and was named Cynopsis Media's Regional Sports Network of the Year in both 2023 and 2024.

Marquee's revenue model is built on three streams: (1) cable and satellite affiliate fees from providers carrying the network as part of channel packages within the Cubs TV territory; (2) direct-to-consumer subscription revenue at $19.99/month via WatchMarquee.com, the Marquee app, and Prime Video Channels; and (3) advertising sales across linear and digital programming. The business is a Delaware LLC, private, and has not raised external funding rounds; its ownership structure is shared between the Cubs and Sinclair, with Sinclair providing distribution expertise and production infrastructure while the Cubs supply exclusive content rights.

Name

Marquee Sports Network

Legal name

Marquee Sports Network, LLC

Website

https://marqueesportsnetwork.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Marquee Sports Network is a regional sports network and joint venture between the Chicago Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group that serves as the exclusive local TV and streaming home of Chicago Cubs baseball within the Cubs TV territory (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin), distributing content via cable, streaming, and DTC subscription.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Sports Network

NAICS

Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

League-Owned Media Networks (e.g., NFL/MLB/NBA/Club Channels) (MPABAJAC)

Keywords

• Regional sports network
• Live sports broadcasting
• Baseball game streaming
• Sports content production
• Direct-to-consumer sports

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Cable/Satellite Subscription Fees: Fees collected from cable and satellite providers (Xfinity, DirecTV, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV) who carry Marquee Sports Network as part of their channel packages within the Cubs TV territory.
2. Direct-to-Consumer Subscription: Monthly subscription at $19.99 providing in-market fans with live access to Cubs games, pre- and postgame coverage, and Marquee's full slate of programming. Available via WatchMarquee.com and the Marquee Sports Network App.
3. Advertising Revenue: Revenue from advertisers seeking to reach the network's sports audience. The network offers advertising opportunities across linear and digital programming.
4. Prime Video Channel Subscription: DTC offering available as a subscription on Prime Video, providing another direct subscription revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Marquee Sports Network is a regional sports network and direct-to-consumer streaming platform that serves as the exclusive local television home of the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise. The network broadcasts every non-nationally televised regular season Cubs game, plus spring training games and 40+ minor league games, alongside comprehensive pregame and postgame studio coverage, Cubs-centric original programming, and partner content for other Chicago sports teams.

Product overview

Marquee Sports Network is a regional sports network and streaming platform structured as a linear TV channel plus a direct-to-consumer app. The core offering is the Marquee Sports Network linear channel (broadcast TV/satellite/cable) providing exclusive coverage of Chicago Cubs baseball and partner team content, complemented by the Marquee Sports Network App (available via WatchMarquee.com and connected TV/mobile platforms) offering the same content via direct-to-consumer subscription. The product portfolio includes Cubs game broadcasts, Cubs Live! and Cubs Postgame Live! studio shows, Road to Wrigley Live! minor league whiparound coverage, original documentaries (Marquee Sports Network Films), Cubs-centric programs (Cubs 360, Cubs Cornerstones, Cubs Classics, Cubs Flicks, Icons of the Ivy, Hollywood and Ivy), and community programming (Community Showcase). The company was named RSN of the Year by Cynopsis Media in 2023 and 2024, and has earned nine Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marquee Sports Network (Linear TV Channel) Regional sports network serving as the exclusive local TV home of Chicago Cubs baseball, broadcasting non-nationally televised regular season games, spring training, and Cubs minor league programming, plus pregame/postgame coverage, studio shows, and original Cubs-centric documentaries.
• Marquee Sports Network App (WatchMarquee) Direct-to-consumer streaming app for Marquee Sports Network content, available via web browser (WatchMarquee.com), mobile/tablet (iOS, Android), and connected TV platforms (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV). Provides in-market subscribers live Cubs games and full programming without a traditional cable subscription.
• Inside the Fire 30-minute bi-weekly program produced in partnership with Chicago Fire FC, providing fans with highlights, analysis, insights from recent matches, interviews with Fire players, staff, and partners, and behind-the-scenes content during the MLS season.
• Community Showcase Student-produced broadcast program highlighting local high school and college sports, providing hands-on television production experience for students while covering amateur athletics across the region (Illinois State University, Northern Iowa, Loyola Chicago).

Quantifiable outcome

• 32% year-over-year increase in linear viewership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Circa Resort & CasinominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 March 2026Sponsor of Circa Walk-Off to Vegas Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes prizes include Las Vegas trip to Circa Resort & Casino when Cubs walk it off at Wrigley Field.
• Hulu + Live TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 March 2026Streaming distribution partnership. Marquee Sports Network available for Hulu + Live TV subscribers within Cubs in-market footprint starting March 2026.
• Prime VideominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 March 2026DTC subscription offering launched on Prime Video. Monthly subscription at $19.99 provides in-market fans with live access to Cubs games and full programming.
• Chicago Fire FCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2025Official Content Partner. Network produces Inside the Fire, a bi-weekly program during MLS season with highlights, analysis, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.
• Sinclair Broadcast GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2020Joint venture partner with the Chicago Cubs in operating Marquee Sports Network. Sinclair provides distribution expertise, production infrastructure, and media operations while the Cubs provide exclusive content rights.
• Chicago CubscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive local television and streaming home of Chicago Cubs baseball. Joint venture partner with Sinclair.
• Chicago BearsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner of the Chicago Bears (NFL). Network provides postgame Bears coverage and Bears-related programming.
• Chicago Stars FCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner of Chicago Stars FC (NWSL).
• Chicago SkyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partner of Chicago Sky (WNBA).
• Athletes Unlimited Softball LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL).
• Circa Sports IllinoisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint host of Cubs away-game viewing parties at venues across Chicagoland, Rockford, and Iowa from April to September 2025.
• Loyola Chicago AthleticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadcast partnership for college sporting events.
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThird-Annual UNCF Day Broadcast partnership for community outreach.
• fuboTVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming provider that carries Marquee Sports Network as part of its channel package.
• DirecTVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSatellite provider that carries Marquee Sports Network as part of its channel package.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• YES Network: YES Network is the regional sports network for the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, and New York City FC, operating as a team-affiliated linear + DTC channel model that mirrors Marquee's Cubs-centric RSN structure with similar cable carriage and streaming distribution.
• Bally Sports / Diamond Sports Group: Bally Sports is the largest U.S. RSN group operating multiple regional sports networks across NBA, NHL, and MLB team rights, representing the scaled, multi-market RSN model that Marquee's Cubs-Sinclair joint venture competes against in the broader RSN industry.
• NESN (New England Sports Network): NESN is the regional sports network for the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins, operating a similar RSN model of linear TV + DTC streaming for exclusive in-market team coverage, directly comparable to Marquee's Cubs baseball exclusivity.
• SportsNet LA: SportsNet LA is the team-owned RSN for the Los Angeles Dodgers, operating an identical single-franchise exclusive local-rights model with cable/streaming DTC distribution that closely parallels Marquee's Cubs-only anchor.

Others

• Sinclair Broadcast Group: Sinclair is Marquee's JV partner and parent providing distribution infrastructure, ad sales, and broadcast operations, while also historically operating other regional sports networks; structurally intertwined with Marquee rather than a market competitor.
• Chicago Cubs: The Chicago Cubs are Marquee's JV partner and exclusive content provider, holding team rights that Marquee monetizes through linear and streaming distribution. Comparable as the franchise-side counterpart rather than a market competitor.

Emerging players

• MLB.TV: MLB.TV is the league-operated out-of-market streaming service explicitly cited by Marquee as the alternative for fans outside the Cubs TV territory, representing a partial substitute and direct competitive alternative in the Cubs streaming market.
• FanDuel TV (formerly TVG): FanDuel TV is a sports-focused linear and streaming channel distributed via cable/satellite/streaming that targets sports fans with original content and live wagering integration, representing an emerging DTC-style competitor for sports audiences relevant to Marquee.

Broad incumbents

• Apple TV+ (MLB Friday Night Baseball): Apple TV+ holds exclusive MLB national rights for Friday Night games and has expanded into MLS and other sports, representing a large incumbent streaming platform increasingly competing with RSNs like Marquee for exclusive game rights and audience attention.
• NBC Sports Regional Networks: NBC Sports previously operated multiple regional sports networks (e.g., NBC Sports Chicago) covering several Chicago teams — a former direct competitor to Marquee in the Chicago market that has scaled back, illustrating the broader RSN industry's retreat.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WatchMarquee
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WatchMarquee
• Facebookfacebook.com/WatchMarquee
• Instagraminstagram.com/watchmarquee
• TikToktiktok.com/@watchmarquee?lang=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marquee Sports Network