Bulls Headed to 670 The Score
Wednesday’s Bulls game against the Portland Trail Blazers will be a historic one. That’s because it will feature the last broadcast on WLS-AM 890. With Cumulus Media nullifying its contracts with the Bulls and White Sox to get out of bankruptcy, both teams were left without a radio home. Fortunately, the Bulls have found a new one.
Beginning with Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Bulls action will be heard on WSCR-AM, better known as 670 The Score. The new deal runs through 2021. Per Robert Feder, insiders have cited Jerry Reinsdorf’s longtime relationships with top station executives as the reason for finalizing the deal so quickly. Chuck Swirsky and Bill Wennington will remain the game announcers, and Steve Kashul is staying on as host of the pregame, halftime and postgame shows. The only thing really changing is the Bulls’ position on the dial.
The Score already is rich with game broadcasts. It’s the radio home of the Cubs, DePaul basketball and Illinois football and basketball. It also hosts Westwood One coverage of the NFL. Station shareholders have to be feeling very good right about now.
The arrangement with WLS was always unorthodox. A station that only carried Notre Dame football and basketball prior to these deals (it doesn’t anymore) made it an unlikely destination for one major Chicago team, let alone two. Even once the teams arrived, promotion of both came off as minimal at best. It just never felt right.
The Score should work out much better for the Bulls. It’s a station that has a history of heavily promoting the major teams it carries. Look for players, coaches and management to appear on the various shows quite a bit in the future. The Bulls’ rebuild can really provide an opportunity for listeners to really get to know the next great team in franchise history.
Should the Cubs and Bulls conflict, the Bulls will be heard on WIND AM 560. That arrangement comes from a tentative deal between Entercom Chicago and Salem Communications. Those conflicts shouldn’t come up too often, however.
Let’s toast this new era of broadcasting Bulls basketball to those unable to see the game in person or on TV. It’s difficult not to be excited by what the next few years will hold for the team and The Score. The Bulls and a sports radio station — what a combination.
