As NBC Sports Chicago Prepares To Sign Off for the Final Time, Here’s a Look Back at 20 Years of Excellence

The RSN has won 51 Emmy Awards during its two decades of on the air

This Sunday will mark the end of an era for Chicago sports television. NBC Sports Chicago, the local television home of Chicago Sports for the past two decades, will produce its final live broadcasts during the White Sox season finale against the Tigers Sunday afternoon. It will be the last of more than 6,000 live game productions and more than 9,000 live pre/postgame shows.

During 20 years of broadcasting, the RSN also created a cavalcade of original content; provided Chicago fans with coverage of dozens of Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox postseason runs; and produced live telecasts of five championship parades (three Blackhawks, one White Sox, and one Cubs). Add 51 Emmy Awards and countless additional industry honors for the network and individuals, and the legacy of Chicago’s eldest RSN becomes clear.

Ozzie Guillén (left) and Chuck Garfien on NBCSN’s White Sox Post Game Live

“I am proud that we put all our focus on the fans,” says Kevin Cross, president/GM, NBCUniversal Local Chicago. “It sounds like an obvious thing to do, but there are a lot of things that can drive your focus. What we truly believed is that the game and everything around it was one of the highlights of the entire day for our viewers.

“These are people who work hard and take care of their families but, all day, are looking forward to that game,” he continues. “I’m proud that everything we did every day was to bring them the best coverage possible.”

NBCSC celebrates the White Sox World Series victory in 2005.

Bidding Adieu to Chicago: 30+ Hours To Chronicle 20 Years of Memories

Following Sunday’s game and postgame shows, NBC Sports Chicago will deliver 30+ hours of showcase programming that defined the network to millions of viewers over the past two decades, including all five championship-parade telecasts, iconic episodes of programming staples like Beer Money and Inside Look, and a half-hour special celebrating the network’s 20 years. Then, just before midnight Monday, the network will sign off for the final time.

Reporter/anchor Leila Rahimi on hand at the ballpark

“I want people to remember that NBC Sports Chicago was right by their side during, arguably, the most significant 20-year stretch in Chicago sports history,” says Cross. “When a team in town won a championship, we were there from the beginning of the season to the end. It’s a great time, but it’s exhausting. And then, when they win it all. It’s not over. There’s a parade, rally, and so much more.”

Bulls Pregame Live on NBC Sports Chicago

Among the key moments during NBC Sports Chicago’s tenure were the first Chicago White Sox World Series in 88 years, the Bears’ rain-soaked Super Bowl XLI loss in Miami in 2007, the Chicago Blackhawks’ turnaround from arguably the worst organization in all of sports (with years of losing records and the fact that home games were not televised) to dominating an entire decade in the NHL, the Cubs’ first World Series win in more than a hundred years in 2016, and the Bulls’ Derrick Rose era, in which he became the youngest player ever to win an MVP.

“So much happened during that time,” says Cross, “and not all of them were championships. It was a significant time for Chicago sports, and we were right there.”

Chuck and Ozzie having some fun at the ballpark

In the Game: Altcasts, Technological Innovations, ‘Thinking Like the Fan’

Over the years, NBC Sports Chicago always looked to innovate in how game broadcasts were presented to viewers. Says John Schippman, VP, sports content, NBCUniversal Local Chicago, “We were always trying new things, trying to figure out what our viewers want to see next.”

NBC Sports Chicago produced a real-time animation of the Chicago Blackhawks–Dallas Stars NHL game in April.

Among key innovations was the launch of BetCasts, in which the RSN teamed up with its sports-gaming sponsors to produce an alternative broadcast offering a sports-gambling expert along with the baseball analysts.

NBC Sports Chicago also produced Spanish-language broadcasts for White Sox games, featuring its very own Ozzie Guillen and Hector Lozano from Telemundo Chicago.

This year, NBC Sports Chicago became the first RSN ever to produce an animated alternative telecast when it joined forces with the Blackhawks and NHL to bring “Tommy Hawk’s Birthday Party” to life for the younger viewing audience.

In 2013, NBC Sports Chicago honored Pat Foley for his 30th season with the Blackhawks.

In addition, NBC Sports Chicago was one of the first networks to show pitch-type graphics on the screen in its White Sox telecasts.

“Our culture was to think like the fan,” says Schippman. “It wasn’t hard because we were all fans. If the fanbase is down and upset, our coverage should reflect that. If the fanbase is pumped up, we should be pumped up. That honesty in our coverage built a bond internally with our employees and externally with our viewers.

“We weren’t afraid to tell it like it was,” he continues. “As long as we were fair and never stooped to personal attacks, we wanted to be as true as possible with our coverage. One of our marketing slogans during our 20-year tenure was ‘Fan’s best friend,’ and we tried to live up to that every day.”

In the Studio: Pre/PostGame Show ‘Like No Other’ in Regional Sports

When NBC Sports Chicago, then known as Comcast SportsNet, launched on Oct. 1, 2004, it used the studio facilities of CLTV (a Tribune Co. entity) in Oak Brook. In February 2005, the network moved to its downtown headquarters and has been located there ever since.

Ozzie Guillén and Chuck Garfien joined by Frank Thomas (center) in the studio

“For a lot of people who worked at NBC Sports Chicago, it was the first job of their career,” says Schippman. “It was almost an extension of college. We had veteran television folks there as well, and the blend was perfect. We mixed all that young enthusiasm with a vast knowledge of Chicago sports history, and it created a perfect blend for our fans.”

The facility underwent a major upgrade in 2020, when all studios were fully renovated even though the project had to be completed in the midst of the pandemic. “Without question, it’s the best-looking studio in all of Chicago,” says Schippman. “The sleek design and multiple set locations made the set second to none to this very day, four years after its debut.”

Ozzie Guillén and Chuck Garfien brought a fun, casual atmosphere to the studio.

Despite producing nearly 10,000 live pre/postgame shows, NBC Sports Chicago was always trying to keep its studio productions fresh and fan-facing. “Our pre/postgame studio shows are like no other that any other RSN produces,” says Schippman. “Yes, we are X’s and O’s, but we pride ourselves on being just like our viewers/fans: we sit around after the game talking about the game the way fans talk about the game. Frustrations, celebrations, you name it — we live and die with our viewers.

“The talent also drives these shows,” he continues. “Our studio hosts have decades of experience, and we worked hard to bring in top-notch analysts for all of our studio shows. Everyone’s résumé is championship-caliber.”

Chuck Garfien (left) and Bill Melton in the studio

On the Parade Route: Celebrating Championships in the Streets of Chicago

NBC Sports Chicago saw its fair share of championships during its two decades covering the city’s pro teams. The RSN covered parades on the Chicago streets for the White Sox in 2005; Blackhawks in 2010, 2013, and 2015; and Cubs in 2016.

NBC Sports Chicago celebrated the Cubs’ historic World Series victory along with the rest of the city in 2016.

“The interesting thing about a championship parade is that it takes a great deal of planning by the city and the teams and usually happens a day or two after the last game,” says Cross. “As you would imagine though, the teams never wanted to discuss a parade until the championship was official. So quick turnarounds [iuvolved] some of the most intense planning sessions of the year.

“With that said,” he continues, “we loved them because it was the one time our viewers would come up to us and tell us how much they appreciated our coverage. It felt great because this isn’t theater: there isn’t that immediate feedback from your audience. But we would get our own form of a championship trophy at those parades, and that was the huge thank you from the fans.”

A True Original: Unique Content and Programming Beyond the Live Broadcast

Over the years, NBC Sports Chicago also produced original programming that turned into a staple, including, from the get-go, Chicago Tribune Live and SportsNet Central and, more recently, Baseball Night in Chicago, Unfiltered, and Football Night in Chicago.

Dan Jiggetts hosts Chicago Tribune Live

Outside the studio, the RSN produced several memorable documentaries and original programs, including Reign Men, the story of the Cubs’ winning the 2016 World Series; Believe, the story of the White Sox 2005 championship; and Hawk, the story of White Sox Hall of Fame broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson; 5 Outs, the story of the 2003 Cubs, who were so close to reaching their long-coveted World Series appearance.

“Those are just a few of the documentaries that we have produced over the years,” says Schippman. “The production value and talented people working on these productions are the best in the business, and their passion for these projects was second to none.”

Late Night With Chuck & Ozzie

Remembering a Legend: Jim Corno’s Legacy Lives On

It’s hard to talk about the legacy of NBC Sports Chicago without mentioning the name Jim Corno, who was at the helm of Comcast Sports Chicago on Day 1 and was instrumental in launching every regional sports network in Chicago television history, including SportsVision, SportsChannel, and Fox Sports Net.

Jim Corno was at the helm of Comcast Sports Chicago on Day 1.

“Jim Corno was a visionary who was ahead of his time,” says Cross. “He saw the emergence of cable television in the ’80s and recognized that sports could be a big driving factor for the business. He hired a lot of people who were new to the industry, and a lot of those folks have gone on to work in all areas of sports television around the country. He hired me right out of college and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Corno also played a major role in raising money for the March of Dimes, and NBC Sports Chicago televised a fundraiser every year to raise millions for that cause.

“He was a firm leader who had high expectations for his employees and held you accountable if you didn’t meet those standards,” says Cross. “But, at the same time, he was a father figure to us all. His legacy won’t be forgotten.”

Changing Times: NBC Sports Chicago Evolved Along With the Industry 

With NBC Sports Chicago’s final sign-off approaching, Cross points out just how the sports-media industry has evolved since the RSN launched in 2004: “When we started in 2004, the iPhone was still three years away from changing everything. Fans still depended on television to get their highlights from games they missed. We had several sports shows a night that catered to that need.”

White Sox boothmates Jason Benetti (left) and Steve Stone have a bit of fun away from the ballpark.

As viewer habits changed and fans began to get sports information more quickly, NBC Sports Chicago adapted as well. “We had to be better in digital and on social media,” notes Cross, “and I’m proud that we were able to keep that connection with fans and excel at it. But those changes were hard, and they impacted employees. We can never discount that. But we had to change as the technology and industry changed around us. The one thing we knew was that we had the game. There were times that we televised over 300 games a year, and we took that responsibility very seriously.”

Here’s NBC Sports Chicago’s final programming slate, beginning on Sunday and running through midnight on Monday (all times CT):

• 1:30 PM — White Sox Pregame Live presented by The Village of Bedford Park
• 2:00 PM — White Sox at Detroit Tigers (L)
• 5:00 PM — White Sox Postgame Live (time approx.)
• 5:30 PM — NBC Sports Chicago: Celebrating 20 Years
• 6:00 PM — 2005 White Sox World Series Parade & Rally
• 9:30 PM — Inside Look: Joakim Noah
• 10:00 PM — NBC Sports Chicago: Celebrating 20 Years
• 10:30 PM — 2015 Blackhawks Stanley Cup Parade & Rally
• 1:30 AM — Beer Money (from 2014)
• 2:00 AM — Beer Money (from 2017)
• 2:30 AM – Beer Money (from 2017)
• 3:00 AM — Inside Look: Jonathan Toews
• 3:30 AM — Inside Look: Dwyane Wade
• 4:00 AM — Inside Look: Jim Thome
• 4:30 AM — Inside Look: Patrick Sharp
• 5:00 AM — NBC Sports Chicago: Celebrating 20 Years
• 5:30 AM — 2010 Blackhawks Stanley Cup Parade & Rally
• 8:30 AM — 2016 Cubs World Series Parade & Rally
• 1:30 PM — 2005 White Sox World Series Parade & Rally
• 5:00 PM — NBC Sports Chicago: Celebrating 20 Years
• 5:30 PM — Chicago Tribune Live (from Oct. 1, 2004)
• 6:30 PM —SportsNite (from Oct. 1, 2004)
• 7:00 PM – Best of “Beer Money” (from 2017)
• 7:30 PM – 2013 Blackhawks Stanley Cup Parade & Rally
• 11:30 PM – NBC Sports Chicago: Celebrating 20 Years
• 11:59:59 PM – (Sign Off)