A new ESPN channel devoted to the bag-tossing game of Cornhole is to make its debut from the streets of Wrigleyville this summer.

ESPN: Cornhole will track bags games all across the country, and plans to sponsor a bracket-style tournament, with the finals hosted in Cincinnati where the network will be based.

The first show will be aired from a Budweiser beer wagon in Wrigleyville. With the help of a designated driver, the wagon will travel through communities and neighborhoods to find top teams and players in the area, an ESPN release said.

“We understand how serious Chicago takes its bags games, which is why we’re debuting from there,” said channel creator John Sampson. “It’s also why we’re giving out free beer to Cornhole players, because we know how important drinking is to a good game.”

Wrigleyville resident Ryan Mathison, who claims he hosts the largest bags tournament in the neighborhood, says he can’t wait for the network’s launch.

“Naturally, the wagon will park outside my condo at some point,” said the 29-year-old accountant. “I plan on getting drunk with those dudes all day long. They can have all the free food they want.”

Sampson says that because of Cornhole’s raucous nature, drinking on the job and sloppy, unethical journalism are expected and will be allowed.

From the May 2009 issue by Mike Pettit
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