The Fire will have all 24 locally broadcast matches carried by WGN-TV this season, beginning with the March 7 match against the Revolution. This is part of a new multiyear partnership that adds to the team’s current streaming deal with ESPN+. WGN in April also will debut an exclusive monthly series that will include profiles and interviews with coaches, players and fans. Fire Owner & Chair Joe Mansueto said, “We know WGN-TV's powerful place on the city's sports scene and we're excited to be their new flagship sports property” (Mark J. Burns, THE DAILY). In Chicago, Jeremy Mikula notes while WGN will air 24 matches, the remaining 10 "will be on national broadcasts." The deal "appears to be mutually beneficial for both parties." Being "more readily available in the Chicago area via free TV should help the club get more exposure" as it returns to Soldier Field. For WGN, it is a "return to live sports after a brief absence" following its long stint as home of the Cubs. Meanwhile, the Fire are "not done with their broadcast team." Longtime announcer Dan Kelly in October said that he "will not return, and analyst Frank Klopas left the booth" to become an assistant coach for the team. The Fire are "expected to announce their new broadcast team in the coming weeks" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/19).
