Why I won’t be talking about the Bulls this season (Maybe)

The Bulls home opener is tomorrow, October 23^rd, and I most likely won’t be watching. It’s not my fault – I wish I could watch! But alas, I cannot. Which is why you most likely won’t be seeing a post from me with a quick recap of the game. 

I don’t know if I will be able to watch a game all season thanks to that doofus Jerry Reinsdorf and the seemingly chaotic Bulls organization he owns. Well, let me just say I know it’s not all his fault, but I enjoy blaming him for things because he’s a terrible owner. And it is partly his fault, he does own the Bulls and is wanting them on this new network. Also, I just love taking shots at him. Anyways… recently the Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox organizations decided to move on from NBC Sports Chicago. I’m not sure what the chain of events were, but NBC Sports Chicago is shutting down the entire operation, so either that is forcing the Bulls, Hawks and Sox to move and create their own network, or it happened the other way and the teams decided to leave. Either way, it’s an absolute disaster for Chicago fans.

Along with the news of NBC Sports Chicago “ceasing operations” came the news of CHSN, otherwise known as Chicago Sports Network. At first it sounded pretty cool – a new network that also only features our favorite teams! Very exciting! However, things took a turn for the worst when us fans realized that they are launching this network with ZERO deals in place. They didn’t reach any agreements with streaming services, DirecTV, Xfinity, etc. Nothing. None. Nada. Instead, while they keep working on getting a deal, they’re telling the fans to “buy an antenna”. Oh how I loathe all the “fans” online who can’t stick up for themselves telling the rest of us to “suck it up” and to “just buy an antenna…it’s like 20 bucks.” NO! It’s time us fans push back and not let them push us around like this. Nobody asked for this service, let alone one that doesn’t broadcast the games anywhere easily accessible. Also, it’s 2024 why would I waste money on an antenna for my TV? GET LOST! 

“CHSN plans to be available everywhere that fans want to watch. Information on additional cable and streaming options will be released soon” their website reads. This should have been priority number 1 before launching the service. Maybe it was, I don’t know how it’s all been going down, but why launch something when hardly anyone can watch? And then they have the audacity to ask the fans to reach out to these services they are trying to negotiate with. Fans, rightfully so, laughed in the comments while telling them to do their own work. 

Look, I am very frustrated, as are many fans, and maybe my venting above helped me calm down a little bit now that I’m at the end of my post. I will say, I know CHSN employees are trying very hard to make a deal, but it’s really frustrating knowing we can’t watch our favorite teams because of the incompetence of some within this new organization. How do you not make these deals before the launch date? Are these providers not interested in this product? I find that hard to believe. If it was just the White Sox on CHSN and that’s what is being pitched I would understand, but you have the Bulls and Blackhawks broadcasting from this new service, two of the worlds most popular franchises. I find it hard to believe Xfinity, Hulu, etc. don’t want to make a deal. They’d get great numbers from Chicago fans. 

I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I stand by what I said: I will NEVER buy an antenna. Just out of pure spite. For now, the only way I’ll watch a Bulls game is to drive to the United Center and see it in person. I hope this gets resolved soon. 

Sincerely,

A sad Bulls fan.