Crosstown Rivalry Lacks Humorous Commercials Featuring Cubs and White Sox Personalities
The article discusses the lack of humorous commercials featuring Cubs and White Sox players and managers, reminiscent of past ads starring managers Lou Piniella and Ozzie Guillen. It suggests that current managers Craig Counsell and Will Venable, along with players,…
Chicago, IL, August 13, 2026 —
The longstanding crosstown rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox appears to be missing a key ingredient in its modern iteration: humorous commercials featuring its key personalities. This absence is noted when compared to previous eras where managers like Lou Piniella and Ozzie Guillen starred in memorable and often comedic advertisements.
The trend highlights a potential missed opportunity for both clubs to further engage fans and amplify the intensity of their rivalry. Unlike the past, current advertisements rarely showcase players or managers in lighthearted or humorous scenarios. This lack of playful content stands in contrast to the era of Piniella’s fiery persona and Guillen’s charismatic presence, both of which were effectively translated into popular commercials.
Experts suggest that current managers, such as the Cubs’ Craig Counsell and the White Sox’s Will Venable, along with prominent players from both teams, could leverage similar creative avenues. The creation of entertaining, perhaps humorous, advertisements could serve to enhance the narrative of the rivalry, making it more engaging for a broader audience beyond just dedicated baseball fans. The article draws parallels to other major sports rivalries where playful advertising campaigns have successfully contributed to the overall excitement and cultural relevance of the matchups.
The lack of such content means that the on-field competition is not being complemented by off-field marketing efforts that have historically proven effective in building fan interest and anticipation for games between the Cubs and the White Sox. The potential for creating shared cultural moments through advertising remains largely untapped for these Chicago baseball teams.
Story summarized from the original created by Jeff Agrest on chicago.suntimes.com, see more information here.
