FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 10th, 2018

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO TO CARRY EXPANDED, MULTI-PLATFORM “2018 CUBS CONVENTION” OPENING NIGHT COVERAGE (BEGINS THIS FRIDAY STARTING AT 5:00 PM CT!)

 

5:00 PM — Special edition of “SportsTalk Live” from Cubs Convention

Hosted by David Kaplan, featuring NBC Sports Chicago Cubs beat reporter Kelly Crull, a panel of Cubs experts, and Cubs players!
 

6:00 PM — LIVE Cubs Convention “Opening Ceremonies” coverage

Hosted by Kaplan, featuring Crull and additional Cubs experts, along with live interviews with numerous Cubs players, coaches, and front office execs!
 

7:30 PM — Exclusively on Facebook Live — “Friday Night with Ryan Dempster”

Hosted by the former Cubs fan favorite and featuring numerous interviews/variety show antics with current Cubs players!
 

NBC Sports Chicago live stream available 24/7 on NBCSportsChicago.com/WatchLive and via the NBC Sports app
 

Complete Cubs Convention coverage throughout the weekend on www.NBCSportsChicago.com’s ‘CubsTalk’ section via reports from Kaplan, Crull, and Cubs digital reporters

Tony Andracki & Vinnie Duber, which will include even more player/coaches/front office interviews, along with panel discussion highlights and much more!

 

Social media highlights on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat to include the latest Convention news, live streaming segments, and special NBC Sports Chicago prize giveaway details!

 

Chicago, IL (January 10, 2018) – NBC Sports Chicago, the multi-platform home for the most games and the most comprehensive coverage of the defending NL Central Division Champion Chicago Cubs, is ready to start up the highly-anticipated 2018 MLB season in a big way with expanded, live Opening Night coverage from the “2018 Cubs Convention,” which is being held downtown this weekend (January 12-14) at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.

On Friday, January 12 beginning at 5:00 PM CT, NBC Sports Chicago’s live coverage of the 2018 Cubs Convention begins with a special remote edition of SportsTalk Live presented by The Chevy Silverado, which will take place on the floor of the convention center.  This special edition of SportsTalk Live will feature host David Kaplan, along with NBC Sports Chicago Cubs beat reporter Kelly Crull and a panel of Cubs experts discussing the team’s run to a third-straight NLCS appearance last season, all the off-season moves and acquisitions, along with the key factors needed to bring another World Series title to the northside in 2018.  In addition, special guest interviews with Cubs players are also scheduled during the one-hour show.

Then, starting at 6:00 PM, viewers can look forward to every thrill-packed moment of the convention’s Opening Ceremonies featuring live introductions of Cubs players/coaches/front office executives, video montages, and much more.  NBC Sports Chicago’s 2018 Cubs Convention Opening Ceremonies coverage will be hosted by Cubs Pre/Post Game Live host David Kaplan, featuring beat reporter Kelly Crull, along with live interviews with Cubs players, coaches, and team VIPs.  NOTES: NBC Sports Chicago’s coverage of the Opening Ceremonies will also be made to fans via “Facebook Live” (Facebook.com/NBCSChicago).  In addition, live stream of SportsTalk Live and the Opening Ceremonies will also be available at NBCSportsChicago.com/WatchLive and via the NBC Sports app to authenticated NBC Sports Chicago subscribers.

ALSO — Fans are also in for a special treat at 7:30 PM as NBC Sports Chicago will provide fans with a “Facebook Live” (Facebook.com/NBCSChicago) exclusive presentation of Friday Night with Ryan Dempster, a Cubs Convention primetime special featuring the animated former Cubs fan favorite hosting his own talk/variety show showcasing Cubs players/coaches/front office execs in this fun and entertaining live event.

Throughout the weekend, fans can look forward to even more comprehensive Cubs Convention coverage on NBCSportsChicago.com’s CubsTalk section (NBCSportsChicago.com/Cubs) featuring additional players/coaches/front office executive interviews, feature stories, fan reaction, photos, videos and much more provided via Kaplan (@thekapman), Crull (@Kelly_Crull), NBCSportsChicago.com Cubs digital baseball reporters Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) & Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber), along the NBC Sports Chicago team of behind-the-scenes Cubs experts (@NBCSCubs).

From a social media standpoint, NBC Sports Chicago will also deliver a number of additional on-site Facebook Live interviews and special segments throughout the weekend, along with Convention “Sights & Sounds” highlights provided via Snapchat (‘nbcschicago’), along with additional coverage/photos/quick video offerings from ‘NBCSChicago’ through Instagram and Instagram Stories.

Plus, Cubs fans can look forward to a brand new “CubsTalk” Podcast presented by Wintrust featuring the hottest Cubs Convention topics and special guest interviews. Fans can download all of NBC Sports Chicago’s podcasts at NBCSportsChicago.com/podcasts and simply subscribe to them via Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.  The podcasts can be played on any mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer.

Fans attending Cubs Convention this weekend can also stop by NBC Sports Chicago’s “Authentic Fan” booth, which will feature a number of special Cubs-themed giveaways including a winter hat, sunglasses, pop sockets, decals, cheer cards and much more (while supplies last).  Plus, fans can are urged to utilize the social media hashtag #AuthenticFan throughout the weekend as a number of lucky fans will be “authentically surprised” with special Cubs giveaways and experiences. NBC Sports Chicago’s dedicated Cubs Twitter handle (@NBCSCubs) will also provide up-to-the-minute NBC Sports Chicago “Authentic Fan” booth activities throughout the weekend.