Chicago sports media personalities are no strangers to passionate opinions, but Marc Silverman’s comments Monday on ESPN Chicago’s Waddle & Silvy took the conversation in a sharply personal direction.
During the program, Silverman addressed Chicago Bulls radio network play-by-play announcer Chuck Swirsky following recent attention Swirsky received for his criticism of Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson swearing in a victorious locker room speech. What began as a discussion rooted in fandom quickly shifted into a broader critique of Swirsky’s reputation within Chicago media circles, according to Silverman.
Silverman did not mince words when describing his past interactions with Swirsky, alleging a pattern of behavior he believes contradicts Swirsky’s public persona. “He [Swirsky] is a guy that will shake your hand and stab you in the back. He is one of the worst people out there,” said Silverman.
Silverman says following Dan McNeil’s departure from ESPN Chicago in 2009, Swrisky called station management suggesting that they also remove McNeil’s co-hosts of The Afternoon Saloon.
“Swirsky was the first guy to call the bosses telling them to get rid of Jurko [John Jurkovic] and Harry [Teinowitz]. No one will do a better job at that show than me,” explained Silverman. “When we used to put Bill Wennington on and he used to complain to about us to our bosses. That we were putting Wennington on, who was a former NBA champion, over him.”
Silverman emphasized that his criticism was not rooted in professional jealousy or casual disagreement. Instead, he framed it as a matter of personal values and professional respect.
“I finally had enough,” Silverman said, explaining that he had encountered Swirsky regularly at Bulls games and believed those interactions were not genuine. “What a rat. What a bad person.”
He noted that maintaining relationships within the industry matters deeply to him, which is why he said his comments carry weight.
“There are not many people in this business that I don’t like,” Silverman said on the show. “That is one of the worst guys. My wife told me, do not address this. Do not bring this up. He doesn’t deserve your time. I don’t know how to fight without that way. This is one bad, bad, bad person.”
He explained that ignoring behavior he considers unethical runs counter to how he approaches both his career and personal life. Silverman also addressed Swirsky’s long-standing image in Chicago, suggesting that his public reputation as a positive and well-liked figure does not align with Silverman’s experiences.
According to Silverman, that disconnect is what makes the situation particularly troubling.
“Chuck Swirsky has stirred it up in this town,” Silverman said. “But acting like he’s a good person for years. Those, in my opinion, are the worst people in the world.”
Neither the Chicago Bulls nor Swirsky have publicly responded to Silverman’s comments.
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