MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Names WPWR My50 Chicago as Official Television Partner for 2014

February 25, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO (Feb. 25, 2014) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Tuesday that WPWR My50 Chicago will once again be the official television broadcast partner of the Chicago Fire for the 2014 season. WPWR My50 Chicago will coverage of the Men in Red beginning with the team's visit to take on the Portland Timbers at Providence Park Field in Portland, Ore., on Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. CT. Last season was the first time that all Fire games were broadcast locally on one channel (My50), a trend that the club is excited to continue for 2014.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with My50 Chicago as the "˜Home of the Fire' for Chicago Fire matches throughout the 2014 season," said Fire COO Atul Khosla. "Returning to My50 Chicago is tremendous because we are able to offer our matches on a widely available local affiliate, and one that is now recognized as our television home."

In addition to the 26 matches available in HD on My50 Chicago, the Fire will appear on national broadcast partners NBC Sports Network (four games), ESPN (one game), ESPN2 (two games), Univision Deportes (one game) and UniMas (five games). Time Warner Cable SportsChannel is the "Wisconsin Television Home of the Chicago Fire" and will also carry 23 regionally telecast games in 2014.

"My50 is proud to once again be the official "˜Home of the Fire' for the 2014 season," said Dennis Welsh, Vice President and General Manager for My50. "The Fire is an elite MLS Club and we look forward to bringing Chicago viewers all the exciting action as they race toward the playoffs. Partnering with the Fire is just another example of My50's commitment to bringing local programming to Chicago-area viewers."

In addition to the Fire returning to My50, the club is excited to welcome back two familiar faces to the broadcast booth, play-by-play announcer Dan Kelly who is returning for his fifth season, and color analyst Kevin Egan who is back for his second. There will be one new addition to the broadcast team in 2014 as Brooke Weisbrod will be introduced as the Club's new sideline reporter. Viewers may notice that Fire broadcasts will also look a little different as the Club is adding an official Fire-branded broadcast desk that can be used at different locations around Toyota Park throughout the year.

Khosla added, "The Club earned record-high viewership ratings on My50 last year and we are excited to build on that in 2014. The continuity of being on My50 and our core broadcast team, plus the addition of Brooke and other broadcast enhancements should set the stage for another great season."

The entire Chicago Fire schedule, including all of its broadcasts on WPWR My50 Chicago, can be found at http://www.chicago-fire.com/schedule.

The Fire host Opening Day at Toyota Park against the 2013 MLS Supporters' Shield winners New York Red Bulls on Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m. CT. Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-Fire, via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.

ADDITIONAL BROADCAST TEAM DETAILS:

Dan Kelly - Kelly returns for his fifth season as the official voice of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. Prior to joining the club as a play-by-play announcer, the St. Louis native called play-by-play for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks on Comcast SportsNet from 2006-2008. In addition, Kelly has done play-by-play for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Big Ten Network (including men's and women's college soccer for five years, as well as both mens and women's Big Ten Tournament, University of Denver men's hockey and for MLS games on HDNet. @DanKelly_21

Kevin Egan - Egan is a television sports journalist from Dublin, Ireland, who has covered soccer at the highest level. After working for RTE (Ireland's National Broadcaster) for five years, Egan moved to Chicago in 2009 and began working for the Big Ten Network. At BTN, Egan commentates on Big Ten soccer matches, while also presenting BTN Soccer Report, an online show covering the game within Big Ten country. This is Egan's second season as color analyst for the Fire. @Kev_Egan

Brooke Weisbrod - Weisbrod, who has made Chicago home since 2002, will make her first appearance as the Fire's sideline reporter on May 3. Since 2003, Weisbrod has racked up extensive experience in sports broadcasting with the ESPN, NBC Sports Network, The Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, and The Sporting News. In addition to her new role with the Fire, Brooke has joined WGN's "The Game" as sports update anchor and is the color analyst for the WNBA's Chicago Sky. @BrookeWeisbrod

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