After much speculation, ESPN 1000 has announced it will be the new radio home of the Chicago Bears, beginning with the 2023 season.
The Good Karma Brands station used ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter to make the announcement to begin Carmen & Jurko, and shared their pleasure in announcing the new home of the Bears.
“The Chicago Bears are a best-in-class organization, and we are excited to partner with a charter franchise of the NFL,” said Senior Vice President and Market Manager of Good Karma Brands Keith Williams. “We are dedicated to delivering a top-notch broadcast for our partners and fans around the Midwest and the world. Our teammates are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to get started and execute at the highest level.”
“We were incredibly impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the leadership team at Good Karma Brands,” added Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips. “Their plan for presenting Bears
football on the radio is first class and we know that ESPN 1000 will be an excellent home for our games and a hub for Bears talk year-round. We look forward to working with the station
beginning in 2023.”
The decision to move the broadcasts to ESPN 1000 was not unexpected. In August, the Chicago Sun-Times reported the move was likely.
The news also signals the end of the franchise’s relationship with WBBM. The Audacy-owned station had been the radio flagship for the Bears since 2000. Bears play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak is the Sports Director for WBBM.
The Bears were also heard on WBBM from 1977-1984, as well as 670 The Score, then known as WMAQ, from 1997-1999. According to the Sun-Times, Audacy was losing money on its deal with the NFL franchise.
With the addition of the Chicago Bears to its portfolio, ESPN 1000 now holds the rights to two of the city’s five professional sports teams. The station became the flagship of the Chicago White Sox in 2021.
“ESPN Chicago is thrilled to be adding the Chicago Bears to our play-by-play roster alongside the Chicago White Sox,” ESPN 1000 Director of Content Danny Zederman said. “Our on-air talent is incredibly passionate about our hometown team, and that passion will show within and beyond the in-game broadcasts, integrated throughout our programming year-round.”
