Marquee Sports Network adds Cubs great Mark Grace and Big Ten Network’s Elise Menaker as on-air personalities
CHICAGO – Marquee Sports Network, the exclusive television home of the Chicago Cubs, today announced the addition of two new on-air personalities, former Cubs great Mark Grace and Big Ten Network (BTN) reporter and host Elise Menaker. Grace, who played 13 years and in three All-Star games as a member of the Cubs, will contribute to pre, post and in-game coverage, while Menaker will create feature stories and other content for the network, as well as contribute as a reporter and host.
Marquee Sports Network debuts February 22 when the network airs the Cubs’ first Spring Training game against the Oakland Athletics in Mesa, Arizona.
“With Mark and Elise joining our already stellar lineup of on-air talent, Marquee Sports Network’s roster will be unmatched by any other regional sports network anywhere,” said Mike McCarthy, general manager, Marquee Sports Network. “Mark is one of the most revered players in Cubs history and a polished baseball broadcaster, and Elise brings versatility, energy, an array of TV experience and a familiarity with Chicago, all of which will make her a tremendous asset.”
Grace called games for FOX Sports from 2007 through 2011 and since 2017, has been an analyst for Arizona Diamondbacks games on FOX Sports Arizona. He will continue in that role while also participating in Cubs broadcasts.
“My years as a Cub were very special, and to return to Wrigley, the Cubs and the best fans in sports as part of Marquee Sports Network is something that means a lot to me,” said Grace. “I’m thrilled to be back!”
Menaker, who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, will continue her work with BTN, where she has been since 2017 as a studio host, football/basketball sideline reporter and softball analyst. She is no stranger to Chicago as her career has included covering Illinois High School Association events, which aired on NBC Sports Chicago, a stint with ABC 7 and a degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Menaker graduated from Cornell University where she was a four-year starter on the softball team and earned back-to-back Ivy League championships. She was also a three-time first-team All-Ivy League softball player and played professionally in Sweden.
“We are excited to bring Mark back home to Wrigley Field to share his knowledge and passion for baseball and the Cubs, and in Elise, we have someone who will instantly bring a fresh and unique sports perspective to the broadcasts,” noted Marquee Sports Network’s Senior Vice President of Programming and Production Mike Santini. “We are very fortunate to add them both.”
Grace and Menaker join an impressive lineup of broadcasters at Marquee Sports Network, which includes current Cubs play-by-play announcer Len Kasper and color analyst Jim Deshaies; studio hosts Cole Wright from the NFL Network and Taylor McGregor, former Colorado Rockies on-field reporter for AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain; Cubs alumni Ryan Dempster, Mark DeRosa, Doug Glanville, Rick Sutcliffe and Jason Hammel; former Cubs manager Lou Piniella; and Emmy Award-winning Chris Myers, fresh from his work as a sideline reporter at the Super Bowl for FOX.
Marquee Sports Network is jointly owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and the Cubs. For more information, visit www.getmarqueesportsnetwork.com.
About Marquee Sports Network:
Marquee Sports Network, a new regional sports network, is the exclusive television home of the Chicago Cubs. Marquee Sports Network will feature live game broadcasts from Chicago Cubs broadcasters, extensive pregame and postgame coverage, in-depth unique Cubs content and other local sports programming. The network is jointly owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) and the Chicago Cubs. For more information, visit www.getmarqueesportsnetwork.com.
About Sinclair:
Sinclair is a diversified media company and leading provider of local sports and news. The Company owns and/or operates 23 regional sports network brands; owns, operates and/or provides services to 191 television stations in 89 markets; is a leading local news provider in the country; owns multiple national networks; and has TV stations affiliated with all the major broadcast networks. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple-platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.