Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. The combination has created some of the greatest names in sports and entertainment. No matter how hard someone grinds toward a goal, being in the right place at the right time is often the most crucial factor. Mike Mulligan of 670 The Score humbly admits he has benefitted from that idea as he enters his 18th year hosting mornings on Chicago’s top sports radio station.
“My career has been a lot of good luck,” says Mulligan. “When I started working on the radio, it was ancillary income at first. Then as other things opened up, I was very fortunate…I don’t know how it all happened to be honest with you. Very much being in the right place at the right time.”
An English major at Loyola University, the Chicago native began his career covering sports for the Chicago Sun-Times. His work covering public league sports grew into a role following the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan’s run in the 1990s. After that dynasty, Mulligan moved to covering the Chicago Bears and then the NFL at large.
Of all the transitions Mulligan made in his career, the pivot to becoming a host was the most challenging.
“When I first started, I was still working at the paper [Chicago Sun-Times], because I had a difficult time making that transition and leaving my identity behind,” explained Mulligan. “I had worked so long at the paper and was locked in to being a sportswriter. It was difficult to shift gears, even though there’s very complimentary role whether it’s covering a team or talking about it.”
Mulligan was elevated to morning drive in 2008 after the station failed to reach a new contract with Score original Mike North. He began his morning run with fellow Sun-Times teammate Brian Hanley. Together, they took over a daypart that competed with ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike.
The move received mixed reactions at the time from longtime Score listeners. However, Mulligan and Hanley’s years covering sports for the Sun-Times brought a strong sense of credibility to the show.
“The credibility factor is huge. People who do it professionally know what the rules are… You defend the content and information. You work hard and know people that you’ve used before to help you understand or give you some information about a story,” explained Mulligan, reflecting on how he applied the credibility he built at the Sun-Times to sports radio.
Rewarded By The Industry
A focused mindset and a reliance on that earned credibility have helped Mulligan lead one of the highest-rated morning shows in Chicago. That success was recognized last month when Mulligan and his team won the coveted “Best Morning Show Award” from the Illinois Association of Broadcasters.
“It was a stunner,” exclaimed Mulligan. “I really was blown away, and didn’t see it coming. It’s very difficult to get your mind wrapped around something like that. I’m very appreciative.”
That stunning moment may not have happened. On the morning of the awards show, Mulligan was still dealing with issues with his station email. He had no idea the morning show had even been nominated until he arrived at work.
“I was on the elevator that morning, and there was a woman that works for another radio station. We were just chatting, and she asked me if I was going to the awards tonight. I had no idea what she was talking about,” explained Mulligan. “She told me we were up for the best morning show, and I didn’t know that. I immediately went to Mitch Rosen [Vice President, 670 The Score and BetMGM Network] and asked what’s going on tonight… It was so dumb on my part.”
Once again, Mulligan found himself in the right place at the right time. A simple elevator ride with the right person led to his attending the event and receiving the award.
“I went from not knowing about it to winning it,” joked Mulligan.
Navigating Change
Although Mulligan says he never felt pressure when he took over mornings at 670 The Score, he understands the legacy he now represents. The path to success is rarely straight, yet Mulligan has been the constant in morning drive for 17 years on a station that has seen significant change.
A major change came in 2018 when 670 The Score chose not to renew the contract of Mulligan’s co-host of 13 years, Brian Hanley. A Score original for 25 years, Hanley’s departure was unexpected and difficult.
“That was really difficult, and that was hard. I had made a switch to radio and thought things were going fine, and then they made that call,” noted Mulligan. “I feel bad for the way things happened for Brian.”
As Mulligan navigated the loss of a teammate of two decades while keeping the show moving forward, 670 The Score moved quickly to add Chicago Tribune columnist David Haugh less than a month later.
“David [Haugh] and I were friends when we were covering the Chicago Bears. It’s been like strength to strength,” explained Mulligan. “Brian [Hanley] and I had a lot of fun together. David and I have a really good show going too. The show may have changed and become more content centric with a guy like David, but I always enjoyed working with Brian and always got a kick out of his personality.”
For the last seven years, Mully and Haugh have built on the foundation Mulligan and Hanley established. Appointment-driven features and an impressive guest list have elevated the program both traditionally and digitally. The morning show has led the way in transforming 670 The Score from a terrestrial sports radio giant into a modern content powerhouse. It stands as an example of reaching sports fans wherever they now consume content.
“Digital is as valuable as anything today,” said Mulligan. “I try to do whatever I can to be relevant and create good content to make sure our show is meeting all the coaching points… 670 The Score has a grip on Chicago from the first day of it… It’s amazing on a day like ‘football Monday.’ They [WMVP] got the team [Chicago Bears], we got the numbers. What does that tell you?”
Enriching The Legacy
Even as its main competitor no longer subscribes to traditional Nielsen ratings, 670 The Score’s legacy brand continues to thrive. The station’s longevity and credibility endures despite numerous lineup changes in nearly every daypart over the last decade.
“Your job is to play the hits. Talk about the Chicago sports teams, and approach it as the fans want to hear and understand it,” noted Mulligan. “It’s your responsibility, and I think everyone on 670 The Score understands this, to present information. To try and live up to the people who were there before you and are going to be there after you.”
Heading into 2026, Mulligan says he remains focused on improving in a role he never expected to have. With several years left on his agreement with 670 The Score, he is humbled by the continued opportunity.
“I am blessed to have been able to work in the Chicago media for as long as I have, and put my kids through college,” said Mulligan. “I don’t know if the business is going to hold up, or what have you. But I am a content individual, and love what I do.”
Without a clear endpoint and without the same ambition he had in his youth, Mulligan understands how rare his journey has been. It is a story built on hard work and plenty of luck.
“It is a blessing to do something you enjoy doing,” said Mulligan. “I’ll do this as long as they let me, and I’d probably do this volunteer-wise if had to.”
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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.
