October 18, 200520 yr Bulls to change to WCKG WCKG to broadcast Bulls games By Ed Sherman Tribune media reporter Published October 17, 2005, 10:08 PM CDT By moving their games to an FM station, the Bulls contend they are expanding their reach, not limiting it. The Bulls signed a four-year deal Monday to air their games on WCKG-FM 105.9, beginning with the 2006-07 season. The team will be heard, as they have been since 1996, on WMVP-AM 1000 this season. Steve Schanwald, the Bulls' executive vice president of business operations, said the team is the fourth in the NBA to place its games on an FM station. He said WCKG has a powerful signal that can be heard throughout the area and beyond. "I was driving back from Michigan last week, and I heard it loud and clear across the lake at night," Schanwald said. "I'm happy about it because I live downtown. You can't get AM in a high-rise. You can get FM." Schanwald said the Bulls plan to expand their network of stations throughout Illinois and the Midwest. "We might even pick up a few stations because we're not on AM," Schanwald said. After losing millions of dollars on a long-term Bulls deal, WMVP wasn't considered a contender to step up again. WSCR-AM 670 has a full plate with the White Sox coming to the station next year and the Blackhawks. Instead of getting a straight rights-fee deal, the Bulls are bringing the package "in house." The team will control all aspects of production and will handle the sale of ads. Schanwald said there aren't any plans to use WCKG's top personality, Steve Dahl, on the broadcast. "But we're looking forward to having him lead into our games," Schanwald said. "I hope he becomes as big a Bulls fan as he is a Sox fan." Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.