Jon “Boog” Sciambi is taking on another broadcast job, but Cubs fans don’t need to panic.
Sciambi is set to join select Minnesota Timberwolves telecasts this season in a play-by-play role, adding to a schedule that already includes his national MLB and college basketball work. It’s another side gig for the Cubs’ TV voice, not a sign he’s headed out the door at Marquee Sports Network.
That matters because the timing of the news landed right after longtime reporter Taylor McGregor’s departure for a full-time ESPN job, which may have prompted some Chicago fans to wonder whether more changes were coming. According to Cubs beat writer Meghan Montemurro, Sciambi and the rest of the Cubs TV broadcast team recently had their contracts extended through 2028, giving the booth long-term stability.
The Timberwolves connection also makes more sense than it might first appear. Alex Rodriguez owns the team, and Sciambi’s long track record in baseball, along with his standing in the industry, makes the fit a natural one.
For the Cubs, the setup still leaves room for flexibility when schedules collide. Alex Cohen has already shown he can handle play-by-play duties after years with the Iowa Cubs, and he pairs well with Jim Deshaies, who has been part of Cubs broadcasts since 2013.
The NBA calendar also creates the only real complication. The season runs from October to April, with the playoffs stretching into mid-June, and Sciambi is joining a Minnesota broadcast group that also includes Kevin Calabro and Michael Grady. Most of the games will be handled by Calabro and Sciambi, which could create some conflicts in the first half of the 2027 Cubs season.
That’s where Cohen could see extra work. He would likely handle spring training broadcasts and spend plenty of time on the mic in the opening months of the regular season, giving Marquee a workable setup if Sciambi’s Timberwolves duties overlap with the Cubs schedule.
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