Chicago Radio: Dan McNeil Turns Down Return Offer

Dan McNeil (Tribune photo)

Chicago radio personality Dan McNeil reportedly has  turned down a multiyear contract offer to reclaim his old job as midday host at CBS Radio sports/talk WSCR 670 AM /The Score.

McNeil had been considered the top choice to succeed Patrick Mannelly, according to Chicago Media writer Robert Feder.  Mannelly announced Monday he was stepping down as midday co-host alongside Matt Spiegel, effective February 13.

The decision means the Score has to conduct its second search for a midday co-host in five months. “We’re looking at all options,” said Mitch Rosen, operations director of the Score.

It’s no longer clear whether one of those options is the hiring of David Kaplan and David Haugh since Tribune Media would have to release Kaplan from the remaining 11 months of his contract with news/talk WGN 720 AM, where he has been a fixture for 20 years. Haugh is a Chicago Tribune sports columnist.

Kaplan and Haugh hosted middays on Tribune Media’s short-lived FM sports/talk venture on WGWG LP 87.7, known as The Game 87.7 FM. Their program continues streaming on WGNplus.com and simulcast on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.