With the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago White Sox departing their longtime broadcasting home for the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) next season, NBC Sports Chicago is ending its run.
Having launched on October 1, 2004 (as Comcast SportsNet Chicago), that makes September 2024 a celebration of 20 years as well as the final days before it ceases operations on the last day of the month.
Before they went, the network took time to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Wednesday. Hosts Pat Boyle and Chuck Garfien took a look back at NBC Sports Chicago’s highlights, bloopers, and memorable moments covering the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox.
“This network has been the lifeblood to me and hundreds of people on the air and behind the scenes who came here to work because they love Chicago sports and they love making great television and great content,” said Garfien at the end of the special. “Thank you for letting us into your homes and into your lives for 20 years. We wouldn’t be here without you.”
With that, he and Boyle walked off camera and a montage ran with the names of every person who worked for the network over its 20 years.
The network also shared some of its most memorable moments on social media, posting clips of the Cubs’ World Series celebration, head coach press conference hijinks, and the time their cameraperson had to tackle an unruly Bulls fan.
Our cameraman tackling a fan, Scott Podsednik impersonating Elvis, the Bears crew losing their s*** after every loss, @LaurenceWHolmes busting moves, Ozzie Guillen earning his degree, 48 MINUTES OF INTENSITY, and so much more…
The NBC Sports Chicago studio is a special place. pic.twitter.com/rZHgeUaQ8L
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) September 4, 2024
The Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox announced in May they would be partnering with Standard Media Group on a new broadcast home, which would come to be known as CHSN.
The true shame is that the final games the network will broadcast are the end of the 2024 White Sox season.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.