104.3 The Score host David Haugh paid tribune to his former co-host Mike Mulligan on Monday morning. Haugh was on a planned vacation the week following Mulligan’s departure from the Chicago radio station. On Monday, he used the very start of his new program alongside Jarrett Payton to reflect on the news.
What We Know: Mulligan departed The Score after an eight-year partnership with Haugh, and two decades overall. Jarrett Payton, who recently stepped down from WGN News, has stepped in as Haugh’s new co-host. The pairing officially launched Monday morning under the Haugh & Payton banner. Haugh spoke for the first time to his morning show audience regarding Mulligan’s exit on Monday.
What They Said: (All quotes via 104.3 The Score):
David Haugh pays tribute to Mike Mulligan and the show they created over the past eight years: “Mike Mulligan is a Chicago sports media icon. Mike Mulligan has been a mainstay in this city, and in sports media. From the sports writers on TV through competing against him at the Chicago Sun-Times and working with him at the Tribune as a colleague. Then here for the last eight years as his partner. I was privileged to be his partner for eight years, and we had fun. I will take our show against any in town over that eight-year period.”
David Haugh thankful to Mike Mulligan: “We had a lot of fun. We were good at what we did, and I will always, forever be grateful to Mully, as fans know him affectionately. Always be grateful to Mully for his role in my growth, personally and professionally.”
David Haugh on change in sports media: “The one thing that is constant is change. The one thing you can’t control sometimes is how that change affects people that are close to you. Maybe it will be your own career, but nothing lasts forever. Very seldom do you get things that end the way that you envision them, or the way that you want in this business. Maybe in any business, but I think the media business, given what everything has transpired in the past couple decades, especially lately. But it’s as uncontrollable and unpredictable as ever.”
David Haugh accepts all reaction to the news that Mike Mulligan is no longer part of 104.3 The Score: “I understand and I accept everyone’s reaction to this. Everyone’s feeling about what happened, and your opinions, posts, tweets. Whatever it is. I get it. Again, it’s that passion that we count on to come here every day to sit here, and talk to the people. Talk to the fan base, talk to Chicago sports fans about your teams.”
David Haugh believes listeners can be thankful and excited at the same time: “We can appreciate how great the past was. The past eight years, tremendous experience. We can appreciate that, but we also can be excited about the future. Because we’ve got to be excited about the future, because there’s a lot to be excited about.”
David Haugh on having mixed feelings about starting a new show with Mike Mulligan’s departure: “I am here, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I have mixed feelings. Because you do like and appreciate what we accomplished and what that was. But I’m also excited about what will be.”
What Remains Unclear: Mulligan’s next career move has not been announced. Haugh acknowledged the unpredictability of the industry broadly, saying change remains constant. Meanwhile, listener reaction continues across social media.
What It Means: Haugh’s comments suggest a very personal reaction to the news of Mulligan’s departure. By publicly thanking Mulligan while introducing Payton, he’s attempting to honor the show’s history and build trust for its future. Consequently, the framing signals The Score wants continuity driving the narrative. Still, how audiences respond to Payton over time will ultimately determine the new show’s staying power.
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