Chicago Radio: NFL Bears Broadcasts Expected To Exit WBBM

The Bears will leave WBBM 780 AM / 105.9 FM after this season, according to The Sun-Times citing industry sources. The team’s games are expected to move to either WMVP ESPN 1000 or WCHI 95.5 FM.

The decision came down to cost. Audacy-owned WBBM has been losing money with the Bears, who have aired on the station since 2000.

“We are focused on having a great 2022 season with WBBM and Audacy,” said Scott Hagel, Bears senior vice president of marketing and communications.

Play-by-play voice Jeff Joniak, who’s entering his 22nd season in the booth, and analyst Tom Thayer, who’s beginning his 26th, are expected to keep their roles. Joniak also is the sports director at WBBM.

Good Karma Brands’ ESPN 1000 got back into local sports rights with the White Sox starting in 2021. WCHI, owned by iHeartMedia, had been country music station WEBG until changing its format to rock music in September 2020.