Be yourself. It’s the ability to own your identity by simply projecting the character that makes up your personality. Every talent shares a unique set of characteristics. Some prefer to be performative and scripted. Others choose to shy away from the formula, preferring to put out something they feel the audience prefers. David Kaplan embraces being himself.
Working in the city of Chicago demands authenticity. Wearing your heart on your sleeve, as every day becomes a game. Kaplan proudly calls the Windy City his home, and ten years after joining ESPN Chicago, he continues to simply be himself.
“First and foremost, I’m a Chicago sports fan. I grew up one, and will always be one,” explained Kaplan. “I want everyone who’s honoring me by being gracious enough to give us their time to listen to know I’m living and dying with our teams just like you are.”
Rising to the Challenge of Kap & J. Hood
Kaplan is no stranger to the Chicago sports fan. His work spans television, radio, and digital, reaching multiple generations. He was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and is a multi-time Emmy Award winner for his television work. Now approaching his tenth year with Good Karma Brands and ESPN Chicago, Kaplan reflected on his key to longevity in one of the country’s top markets.
“We’re in a place where our management empowers us to do the best possible show we could do,” said Kaplan, speaking of working for programmers Mike Thomas previously and now Danny Zederman. “It’s the best place I’ve ever worked.”
ESPN Chicago serves as the radio flagship of the Chicago Bears as well as the ESPN Radio affiliate for the market. Last week, the station announced a lineup shift with Kaplan and co-host Jonathan Hood moving to an earlier 6 a.m. start. The time shift was welcomed as another challenge for a program that has already faced its share of them.
Kap & J. Hood began hosting morning drive on ESPN Chicago in August 2020, as the world was working through the COVID-19 pandemic. In speaking with Barrett Media in April, Hood recalled how former program director Mike Thomas instructed the new pairing to put smiles on faces during a difficult time for the market. Kaplan notes that mission statement has not changed since.
“He [Thomas] made the biggest impact on my career, and I had been doing it for a long time,” said Kaplan. “He said they [the listeners] just want to be entertained. They don’t give a s**t about the swing tackle of the [Chicago] Bears. They really don’t. They want to laugh before they have to start their day.”
Prior to ESPN Chicago, Kaplan was the lead host for WGN Radio’s sports programming in the evenings. For 21 years, he worked at the historic talk radio station in a capacity where he said he was treated as “the sports guy.” Referencing the difference in culture from WGN to his current role at ESPN Chicago, Kaplan embraced change as Kap & J. Hood celebrated their fifth year together last week.
“[J. Hood] is truly like my brother,” remarked Kaplan. “If you spend any time around us, you’d be like these two are like the same guy. Everything we talk about he’s right on it. He’d remark about something, and I know exactly where that’s coming from. We are brothers from another mother. We really are.”
The Growth of The Re-Kap
While Kap & J. Hood are the primary focus for Kaplan, they’re not his only daily project. With an eye on social media engagement, Kaplan grew his following by taking jabs at opposing fan bases. Always wearing his fandom on his sleeve on the air, he decided to venture into the digital world following the pandemic to reach a new audience.
This caught the eye of Ryan McGuffey, a coordinating producer at NBC Sports Chicago, in 2022. Kaplan and McGuffey worked together at the television outlet for many years, with Kaplan noting him as his “closest friend in the whole world.” The two met for lunch with an idea of bringing more life to the digital path Kaplan was exploring.
“He [McGuffey] did a lot of studying during the pandemic. He then asked how much money I was making off it. I said nothing, I’m not doing it for that reason,” recalled Kaplan. “April 29th, I’m driving up to our lake house in Wisconsin. Ryan calls me and says he can have the YouTube channel out within 60 minutes. We can go live starting tonight.”
While Kaplan admits he didn’t understand the intricacies of YouTube, he went along with it. The Re-Kap was officially born. Since day one, Kaplan has provided YouTube-specific game wraps following every game, for every team, all year long.
“My wife and I will go to dinner with another couple. There are two baseball games that night. I have two phones, and if the people don’t understand then they’re actually not really great friends of ours,” explained Kaplan on how he is always tuned in for his Re-Kap materials.
Creating Content Outside of Mornings
The growth of the Re-Kap channel has eclipsed 237,000 subscribers and counting, as Kaplan consistently pumps out new content all year long. From game wraps to unique podcasts, the venture was not one he originally asked permission to do from his employer at Good Karma Brands. In fact, Kaplan has always used the digital platform to cross-promote his ESPN Chicago teammates throughout.
“Danny [Zederman] and Keith [Williams] have been outstanding with this. They always have been very supportive,” noted Kaplan. “I try to make it a win-win for both sides. That’s what I’ve been able to do, and I’ve been very fortunate that they’ve been so supportive.”
Kaplan noted while he was employed at NBC Sports Chicago, they were not as supportive as his current employer at Good Karma Brands.
“When I was at NBC and started this, they didn’t really pay any attention to it. Then I got an interview with Lavar Ball,” explained Kaplan. “He said some provocative stuff, and it blew up. All of a sudden, it’s got 38,000 views and I only have a couple thousand subscribers. People at NBC said you can’t do that. You got to shut that down.”
The request from NBC Sports Chicago was declined by Kaplan. He stated he owns his own social media. Following some back-and-forth, NBC executive Kevin Cross and Kaplan came to an agreement that he could continue to produce content for The Re-Kap—a gesture Kaplan says he’s not forgotten.
“You should be able to do as many different projects as you can,” said Kaplan. “I would tell anyone who’s thinking about it, make sure you do all you can to take care of your main job. On the other end, the bosses should understand. This is a great thing for us too. The more I become visible, that helps them.”
Always Be Yourself
Kaplan is a born-and-raised Chicagoan. While he would like to think his achievements could have happened in another market, he couldn’t imagine working in a better town where emotions run high in a dominant sports culture like Chicago’s. Kaplan pulls no punches in his criticisms of the teams in town. He’s authentic, always demanding more from them. It’s a trait he takes pride in and wishes more talent would embrace.
“I don’t understand broadcasters that just want a good game or don’t root for teams. That’s bulls**t. You got into sports because you love sports,” said Kaplan. “There are a billion things they could listen to. You’re going to listen to me and expect me not to tell the truth? No shot. Otherwise, why would you listen?”
A decade after moving from Michigan Avenue to State Street, David Kaplan is the definition of a multi-platform fan. Entertaining audiences from sunup to sundown, every day of the calendar year. A voice that carries weight but remains a fan at heart.
Following a simple rule from day one: Be yourself.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
Worse radio personality ever. So phony. Tired of his fake rants every day. He’s never had an opinion he hasn’t changed