The Chicago Tribune reports the Cubs have exercised an option to get out of their broadcast contract with WGN-TV. It's a broadcast partnership that dates back to 1948.
Right now, WGN pays the Cubs about $20 million for the right to air 70 games each year.
WGN reportedly has 30 days to offer more money or the Cubs can begin negotiating with other media to broadcast the games. If the team didn't give notice right now to opt out of the contract, the deal would run through 2022. So far, no comment from the Cubs or the Tribune Company.
Over at WGN Radio, Chicago Cubs broadcaster Keith Moreland announced he is leaving the job to spend more time with family.
The Cubs made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon. Moreland took the WGN-AM job in February 2011, signing a three-year deal to replace the late Cubs Hall of Famer Ron Santo. Moreland is a former Chicago Cubs outfielder, playing with the team from 1982 to 1987. Moreland worked with Cubs play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes in the broadcast booth.
Moreland says in a note to WGN staff that he's decided that he wants "to spend more time at home in Texas." Before he worked for the Cubs, Moreland was a broadcaster for University of Texas baseball and football.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
