MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC and Cumulus Media Announce Partnership to Deliver Local Radio Broadcasts in English for Club Matches

Published on April 26, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO - Chicago Fire FC and Cumulus Media today announced a multi-year partnership to deliver local English-language radio broadcasts. With this partnership, the Chicago Fire's regular season and playoff matches will be broadcast live in English on 890 WLS-AM or online at wlsam.com, providing more broadcast options for Fire fans in the Chicagoland region.

"We're thrilled to announce WLS-AM as the new home of our English-language radio broadcasts," said Dave Baldwin, Chicago Fire FC President of Business Operations. "This exciting partnership will bring more content to our fans and create opportunities for new fans to connect with our Club throughout the week and on matchday. We can't wait to launch our inaugural broadcast live from Soldier Field this weekend."

WLS-AM becomes the newest local broadcast partner for the Fire, joining TUDN 1200 AM which broadcasts the Club's matches in Spanish each week. The partnership with WLS-AM will officially kick off with a live broadcast on 890 WLS-AM this Saturday, April 29 for the Fire's 7:30 p.m. CT home match against the New York Red Bulls. Leading into the contest, a 30-minute pregame show will air live on 890 WLS-AM, beginning at 7 p.m. CT to preview the ensuing matchup and major storylines.

Additionally, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV features the home team's radio call as an audio option, giving Fire fans the ability to listen to the WLS-AM commentary from Soldier Field directly in the Apple TV app. Instructions on accessing local commentary for home matches via MLS Season Pass can be found here.

"Sports are a huge part of the fabric of Chicago and as 890 WLS-AM approaches its centennial anniversary, we are delighted to add Chicago Fire FC to our lineup," said WLS-AM Program Director Stephanie Tichenor. "Listen to every assist, save, and goal on The Big 89!"

In addition to local commentary in English for each match, this new partnership will feature more Club-specific programming for Fire fans. Each broadcast will include a 30-minute pre-match show and a 30-minute post-match show, with the commentary team previewing the upcoming contest and providing post-match analysis for listeners.

Leading up to each match, 890 WLS-AM will air a weekly one-minute Chicago Fire FC Update to promote the upcoming contest and recap previous matches. WLS-AM, WLS-FM, and Q101 listeners will also have opportunities each week throughout the season to win exclusive promotional items, such as premier tickets to attend Fire home matches, Club swag and much more.

Max Thoma will serve as the primary play-by-play announcer for the team's matches in 2023. Thoma is currently in his fourth year as a play-by-play announcer for the South Bend Cubs, the High-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. He also provides soccer, softball, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and baseball play-by-play commentary for the University of Missouri, Northwestern University, Illinois State University, and the University of Evansville.

Former Fire player Dasan Robinson has joined the broadcast team as the color analyst. A native of Evanston, Ill., Robinson was selected by the Fire as the 22nd overall pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. During nearly six years with the Fire, Robinson played a key role in the team's success, helping the Club win its fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in 2006, in addition to making three straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals (2007-2009).

Max Anderson has also joined the broadcast team and will provide the play-by-play commentary for select Fire matches this season. Anderson is a long time and trusted voice of the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, providing play-by-play coverage for high school hockey games as well as the DePaul Hockey Club at the collegiate level. Anderson's versatility as a broadcaster extends beyond soccer and hockey. He also has past experience calling football, baseball and basketball for The Region Sports Network and the NFHS Network.

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