It’s never subtle when divine intervention drops into the South Side—especially when it’s wearing pinstripes and carrying a suspiciously fat checkbook. Somewhere between backroom blessings and backfield blunders, Jerry Reinsdorf finally steps aside, and in his place? A holy windfall. Whether it’s karma, comedy, or Chicago tradition, the White Sox—yes, those White Sox—just became the most accidentally blessed franchise in modern baseball economics.
Perhaps they have become blessed. Some might say ever since the new Pope’s favorite team was revealed to be the Chicago White Sox, they have become god’s favorite child. Though their win column on the table might not be showing that, if things move as reported, the White Sox will be a franchise that can get backup and start throwing punches at bigger teams.
It started quietly, with whispers of change echoing through the ballpark. And now, the White Sox have signed a groundbreaking agreement with Comcast, and that is big news. The Athletic senior columnist Jon Greenberg reported, “The Pope, Justin Ishbia, Kyle Teel, now have a deal with Comcast. Everything’s coming up White Sox!”
After eight months in limbo, the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) finally struck gold with Comcast. The new deal places CHSN on Channel 200 within Comcast’s Ultimate TV package. This network, backed by the White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks, replaces their former home at NBC Sports Chicago. With DirecTV and Fubo already on board, Comcast’s inclusion fills the city-wide blackout that was bruising fan engagement.
CHSN’s breakaway from NBC Sports Chicago was bold—but risky without Comcast’s early support. Bulls viewership had plunged 63%, while the Blackhawks lost 78% of their audience. “Our fans deserve better,” Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz admitted in April, acknowledging the damage. Now, with Comcast onboard, CHSN gains serious traction across homes that had gone dark on local sports.
The Pope, Justin Ishbia, Kyle Teel, now a deal with Comcast. Everything’s coming up White Sox! pic.twitter.com/9c7UMS2P3o
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) June 6, 2025
This distribution lift couldn’t come at a better time for the White Sox, especially amid the ownership transition. Billionaire Justin Ishbia is set to take control from Reinsdorf within the next decade. Ishbia’s early capital infusion will stabilize operations, deepen investment, and bolster CHSN’s reach. With Comcast now carrying the network and Ishbia eyeing long-term growth, Chicago fans may finally feel seen again.
So yes, maybe the standings still scream “rebuild,” but the business side just found religion.
The White Sox aren’t just fumbling toward relevance—they’re stumbling into empire-building with divine luck. Between papal endorsements, billionaire backers, and a Comcast lifeline, this franchise isn’t cursed—it’s curated. Say what you want, but when heaven picks sides, even 121-loss seasons come with network deals and new money. Chicago might just be witnessing a resurrection in cleats. However, some curses aren’t lifted by new managers, fresh logos, or front-office reshuffles.
Even with all the changes, two reasons why the Chicago White Sox will stay the same
The White Sox, in all their ever-hopeful, often-hapless glory, continue spinning in circles while calling it a rebuild. The jerseys change, the promises reset, but the results? Familiar as ever. And if you’re wondering why this franchise still feels stuck in a time loop, look no further than the two pillars holding up the dysfunction. As long as Jerry Reinsdorf controls the White Sox, smart decisions are a pipe dream. He slashed payroll from $193 million in 2022 to nearly half today. Instead of chasing stars like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, the White Sox settled for patchwork. It’s not a rebuild—it’s budget baseball dressed up as strategy.
Aug 27, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf holds the NBA championship trophy before the game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Reinsdorf’s front office didn’t just misfire—it self-destructed with baffling consistency. Hiring Tony La Russa in 2020, despite his long absence and controversy, derailed clubhouse momentum. Instead of analytics and innovation, the White Sox doubled down on outdated instincts. Now, they’re stuck with a roster held together by hope and duct tape. Player development? A ghost town. The minor league pipeline is dry, and scouting feels like guesswork. Chris Getz himself admitted there’s “no foundation” in the system. Until ownership values growth over nostalgia, this team will keep chasing ghosts of greatness.
And that’s the tragic comedy of it all—the Sox aren’t just bad, they’re built to be. Stubborn ownership and a talent pipeline running on fumes don’t create contenders; they create cautionary tales. Until someone rips out the roots, the rot will keep spreading. Hope doesn’t fix broken foundations. It just sells more tickets to the same slow-motion collapse.
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