Chicago’s sports media landscape is undergoing a significant transformation this week, as a long-standing local television sports anchor has been abruptly let go amid sweeping changes at one of the city’s major network affiliates. The decision comes as the station navigates shifting industry dynamics, declining ad revenues, and the evolving consumption habits of viewers increasingly turning to streaming platforms over traditional linear television.
Sources familiar with the situation report that the anchor, who had served the station for more than a decade, was informed of his termination on Wednesday. The move coincides with a broader restructuring of the affiliate’s sports department, which includes the hiring of a high-profile sports journalist from a rival station to fill a key on-air role.
Industry observers note that this is not an isolated incident, but part of a wider trend affecting local television across the United States. Stations are cutting costs in response to declining viewership for live broadcasts, the fragmentation of sports rights, and increased competition from digital outlets and social media coverage.
The restructuring also comes as NBC prepares for a busy sports calendar, including coverage of the upcoming Winter Olympics and high-profile national broadcasts like “Sunday Night Basketball,” which is set to resume in the coming weeks. In anticipation, network executives appear to be repositioning on-air talent in a bid to modernize coverage and appeal to younger demographics.
Veteran Anchor Leaves the Station
The longtime anchor in question is Mike Berman, 43, who had become a familiar face in Chicago sports reporting over the past decade. Berman’s departure leaves the station with a significant gap in its sports coverage, as he was for many years the primary anchor covering the city’s professional basketball, baseball, and hockey teams.
Berman began his career at the station shortly after graduating from journalism school and quickly rose through the ranks, earning recognition for his engaging reporting style, deep knowledge of local sports, and ability to connect with viewers. He worked alongside notable colleagues, including former co-anchor Leila Rahimi, who herself was laid off in 2024 amid prior restructuring efforts.
The Chicago Sun-Times first reported Berman’s sudden firing, citing unnamed sources within the affiliate. According to these sources, the station is bringing in Lou Canellis, a veteran sports journalist from Fox 32, to fill a key role in the sports department. Canellis is set to start next week, taking over responsibilities that were previously shared among the station’s former sports team.
Context of Station Changes
NBC Sports Chicago, the station’s former regional sports network, officially closed operations on September 30, following the departure of major local teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks, to the newly launched Chicago Sports Network (CHSN). The shift of these franchises’ broadcast rights marked the end of NBC Sports Chicago as a functioning entity, leaving the network affiliate to rethink its local sports strategy.
The closure of NBC Sports Chicago and the departure of high-profile teams left Berman as one of the few remaining sports reporters on staff, with his reporting responsibilities spanning multiple major leagues and events. His termination, therefore, signals a notable shift in the station’s approach, possibly moving toward a leaner, more centralized sports coverage model.
NBC 5, the network’s Chicago-based station, is reportedly investing in a “major overhaul” of its sports programming. This includes the integration of new segments, digital-first content, and marquee national broadcasts such as “Sunday Night Baseball,” which will debut on NBC later this summer. Network executives have emphasized that the changes are designed to modernize the station’s offerings and attract a broader audience, even as traditional local coverage faces challenges.
Broader Industry Pressures
Berman’s exit comes at a challenging time for local television in the United States. Industry reports indicate that full-time employment at local TV stations fell last year for the first time in over a decade. According to a survey conducted by the Radio Television Digital News Association in collaboration with the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, factors contributing to these declines include dwindling advertising revenue, the rise of cord-cutting, and a shift toward digital and streaming news consumption.
Stations across the country, including ABC and CBS affiliates, have made comparable cuts to their on-air and production staffs. High-profile departures in other markets last year included Brad Edwards at CBS 2 in Chicago and Gaynor Hall at WGN-TV. Some smaller markets, like Houston and Boston, have also reported significant layoffs, particularly affecting sports and specialized reporting teams.
The financial pressures facing local stations are compounded by the demands of producing live sports coverage. Costs for securing broadcast rights, maintaining production staff, and delivering high-quality programming are rising, while advertising revenue often lags behind, particularly for regional markets. These dynamics have made positions like Berman’s increasingly difficult to sustain.
Impact on Local Sports Coverage
The firing of Berman has raised concerns about the future of local sports coverage in Chicago. With the departure of key personnel from NBC’s sports team and the closure of NBC Sports Chicago, fans may see a reduction in in-depth reporting, sideline commentary, and investigative sports journalism. For many viewers, anchors like Berman were a trusted source of analysis and insight into the city’s professional teams, and his absence represents a loss of continuity and expertise.
Berman’s former colleagues have expressed surprise at the sudden decision. A source close to the station told reporters that the termination came without prior warning and that the decision was part of a larger, strategic realignment of NBC 5’s sports division. While executives have framed the changes as modernization efforts, the abruptness of Berman’s exit has prompted discussions among industry insiders about the challenges of retaining experienced talent in a contracting media environment.
New Talent and Future Plans
Lou Canellis, Berman’s incoming replacement, brings decades of experience in sports reporting from his tenure at Fox 32. Canellis will assume coverage of the city’s major professional teams and contribute to national-level broadcasts produced by NBC. While Canellis’ arrival is expected to inject energy into the station’s sports programming, it also underscores the broader trend of turnover in local television, where veteran anchors are replaced amid corporate restructuring and technological adaptation.
Network executives have emphasized that these staffing changes are part of a long-term strategy to evolve NBC 5’s sports content. Plans include expanding digital coverage, integrating social media-driven reporting, and creating new program formats aimed at younger audiences. The station is also preparing for the upcoming Winter Olympics, a period that will test its ability to deliver high-quality sports journalism despite recent personnel changes.
The Human Element
For Berman, the termination represents the end of a significant chapter in his career. In addition to his professional contributions, he was known for mentoring younger reporters and fostering a collaborative newsroom environment. Colleagues have noted that he maintained a strong connection with viewers through his approachable reporting style and deep knowledge of local sports history.
The exit of such anchors has broader implications for the field of journalism. Burnout, shrinking revenue, and the challenge of replacing experienced staff make local TV positions less appealing to the next generation of journalists. Many reporters are opting for digital media careers, which often offer greater flexibility, wider audiences, and the potential for innovative storytelling formats.
Conclusion
The departure of Mike Berman from NBC Chicago highlights both the volatility and the evolving nature of local sports media. As the station undergoes a comprehensive overhaul — bringing in new talent like Lou Canellis and expanding its national broadcast capabilities — the landscape for sports reporting in Chicago continues to shift.
This change is emblematic of broader trends across the United States: local television stations face declining revenue, competition from streaming and digital outlets, and the increasing cost of live sports coverage. The loss of experienced anchors like Berman underscores the human cost of these industry shifts and raises questions about how local audiences will continue to receive in-depth sports journalism.
While NBC 5 looks to the future with new programming, high-profile hires, and digital innovation, the absence of long-serving anchors like Berman serves as a reminder of the challenges facing legacy television networks and the journalists who dedicate their careers to informing and entertaining viewers in a dynamic, competitive media environment.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
