Chicago Radio: Dan McNeil, WSCR Part Company

Dan McNeil

Dan McNeil’s tenure is done at WSCR 670 AM The Score. His partner, Matt Spiegel, broke the news at the end of Friday’s midday show, according to The Chicago Tribune.

McNeil’s departure shouldn’t come as a big surprise. McNeil had been off the air since his contract ended at the end of June.  CRM reports  the financial aspect wasn't much of an issue, as CBS Radio was already willing to offer their highly-rated midday star a raise.

The only big sticking point came with McNeil's demands to return to the comfortable afternoon hours he held while working at WMVP 1000 AM/ESPN from 2000-2009. While the station would have loved to have McNeil back on the air, they would not bend to his demands of rearranging an already successful schedule to make one person happy.

The two sides couldn’t agree on a new deal after McNeil had sought a substantial raise from his reported $300,000-plus per year salary. The station, meanwhile, had stuck with McNeil despite two extended absences with substance abuse problems.

Spiegel read a statement on behalf of himself and WSCR. He said the station wanted McNeil back, but “Mac wanted to do some different things.”

 "We all know Mac has been off the air since his contract expired in mid-June. Since then, management and Mac have had ongoing discussions about him returning to work. The station wanted Mac back on this show, but Mac wanted to do some different things. Conversations continued until earlier this week, when both the station and Mac decided a new deal could not work right now. It's been a great ride for the past five-plus years. We have had fun and hopefully you, the audience, have enjoyed the entertainment we have provided. Thank you for all your patience over the last couple of months. I'm confident I will have a great new partner as we head into what could be an epic Bears season."

McNeil’s departure leaves a vacancy in a prime spot in Chicago sports radio. Program director Mitch Rosen has used nine partners with Spiegel since McNeil’s last show.

As for McNeil, who is walking away from a contract worth seven figures over its duration, it is hard to say what his next move will be. There definitely will be interest from Tribune Media's WGWG 87.7 FM, but there are questions whether the new station will pay a high price for his services.

McNeil had consistently delivered the ratings for The Score. In the station's target demographic of Men 25-54, McNeil's popularity has placed the station at or very near the top of those ratings each month and was a key reason the station is consistently in the Top 5 in that demographic overall.