John McDonough is the new president of the Blackhawks

by SCH on Nov 20, 2007 2:02 PM CST

Special thanks to reader Raj Binders Labido for pointing this one out in his diary...

It's being reported on the Blackhawks' official site that former Chicago Cubs president John McDonough has been hired as the new president of the Blackhawks. According to "The Score" 670 AM radio, McDonough re-signed from the Cubs at 9:00 AM this morning, and was introduced as a member of the 'Hawks at noon.

From the CBH.com article:

McDonough, 54, joins the Hawks after working in the Chicago Cubs organization for close to 25 years, the last year as the president. As the Cubs chief, and in his previous role as senior vice president of marketing and broadcasting, he was widely viewed as a sports marketing and management innovator who has been credited with playing a major role in growing the Cubs’ fan base and attracting sponsorships for one of the most successful pro sports franchises in the country.
"What John did was create the partnerships that brought resources to the Cubs so they could pursue talented ballplayers. We will be relying on his creativity as he takes the helm of the Blackhawks to help us reach our ultimate goal of winning a championship," Wirtz said.
Under the multi-year agreement, McDonough will be responsible for all day-to-day operations both on and off the ice. He will report directly to Rocky Wirtz, who will remain actively involved, and work closely with Tallon and Savard.

Being a Cubs fan also, I was pretty surprised to hear this, because I remember McDonough, when he took over as the Cubs president just a year ago, and he made some pretty bold statements about how he wanted to bring the Cubs a championship and how he expected to do it at some point in the near future. Perhaps, with the Cubs supposedly getting new owners soon, he saw the writing on the wall and decided to take advantage of another opportunity?

I think he did a good job as a marketing guy for the Cubs, and now he sort of needs to convince everybody that he will know what he's doing as the president of the 'Hawks. It's an interesting move at this point, and we will see if it pays off.

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that's what i like to see

at least we might get home games on TV now..

by ridebdr on Nov 20, 2007 2:17 PM CST reply actions

Also...

apparently McDonough was on ESPN 1000 and said he's considering perhaps bringing Wayne Messmer back to sing the anthem. Also, there's talk that Dan Kelly could possibly be out as the PBP man on TV soon. But we'll see what comes of that...

by SCH on Nov 20, 2007 4:46 PM CST reply actions

Regarding your comment on Kelly...

That won't happen. That comment came up on a bleedcubbieblue diary, and I posted a rather long essay on why Pat Foley will not be asked back to the Blackhawks broadcast booth.

I invite you to find it on that site. McDonough to the Hawks is the #1 recommended diary, so it's easy to find. However, it would be easier if I did this:

So, just click here

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 20, 2007 9:13 PM CST reply actions

Howdy SDSJM

Read your comments on BCB and agree. Unfortunately, I really never heard what when on regarding the Hawks/Foley split. I thought he was one of the best, if not THE best. Wasn't afraid to be non-homerish when the Hawks would stink up the Stadium or UC.

So far, Rocky is not afraid to make the needed changes to breathe some life into one of the original 6. It was a GD shame the way Dollar Bill turned the Hawks into the worst professional franchise in sports. Good luck with McDonough. I am sure it will be a success.

Unfortunately, I will have to watch another lousy Coyotes team again this season, hoping the Hawks and 'Yotes make the playoffs so they can play each other like the Cubs and Snakes.

by BigJohnAZ on Nov 20, 2007 10:11 PM CST up reply actions

Hi also SDSJM...

... see my response to you at BCB for my complete disagreement with your position.

by Al Yellon on Nov 21, 2007 4:09 AM CST up reply actions

Hi BCB

You make some great points. Personally, it was a good move by the Wolves to get Foley, but maybe the real agenda from Foley's point of view was to stay in Chicago, knowing that Bill would either relinquish control of the team to Rocky because of health reasons or what actually happened. Maybe he still had a good relationship with the team. Again, I don't know why Pat left/was not kept.

Obviously, it seems strange to listen to the Hawks and not hear Pat's voice even though Kelly does a good job.

by BigJohnAZ on Nov 21, 2007 12:35 PM CST up reply actions