The Bears say they enjoy having their games aired on WBBM-AM 780. However, their relationship with sister station WSCR-AM 670 is a different matter.
Another Bears loss should ensure that coach Dick Jauron’s weekly show Monday on WSCR will be anything but a love fest once again. Things have gotten ugly in recent weeks.
On last week’s show, two callers had the sole intent of insulting Jauron. This time host Hub Arkush cut them off quickly instead of engaging them and losing his temper, as he had the week before.
Arkush, also a target, should get plenty of practice in restraining himself with the Bears falling to 2-6 and having little hope for a turnaround. Expect more protagonists calling in to spew nasty things at Jauron.
The Bears say Jauron is a big boy who can handle it.
“Dick is the consummate professional,” said Bears marketing director Dave Greeley. “He also is a smart man. He understands the ways of pro sports. He is proud of the organization, and he wants to give access to the fans.”
The Bears also are proud of the show and the management report that follows. But they aren’t happy with the breakdown in decorum in recent weeks.
Though they won’t say anything publicly, they don’t like the way Jauron’s show and Arkush have been mocked and kicked around by the station’s other personalities.
An atmosphere has been created on the station that has led to some of the ugliness on the show.
Another low point, perhaps the lowest, occurred Tuesday when supreme intellect Mike North said Arkush was “retarded.” Not once, but several times for effect.
Using a label like that is beyond irresponsible. Also, remember, the Bears view Arkush as one of their symbols. So imagine how it felt to hear one of their symbols called “retarded.”
Interestingly, Arkush will be a guest on North’s show at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Wonder if North will call Arkush “retarded” to his face?
What has happened in the last couple of weeks is the main reason the Bears games are on WBBM instead of WSCR. Remember, the Bears were on 670 back when it was WMAQ. But when WSCR assumed the signal, the game broadcasts were moved over to sister station WBBM.
The Bears didn’t want their games on an all-sports station. They want them on an outlet that will promote the team, not rip it.
The Bears feel the same way about their weekly radio shows. They want them to be positive vehicles, even during losing times. Say what you will about the Bears, it is the only pro team in town that makes its top management available to the fans.
Ideally, the Bears would like everything on WBBM. But the all-news station wasn’t going to break its format during the week. So the Bears accepted a compromise and placed them on WSCR.
Now the worst-case scenario has occurred, with the various personalities taking their shots at Jauron and Arkush. When your own guys rip apart something that airs on your station, it does even more damage. It certainly plays into the anything-goes mentality.
The overly demeaning nature also is curious because the Jauron show is one of the most valued sports properties around. Most stations would want to promote the show, not ridicule it.
Bears games and their radio shows come as a package. If things continue to deteriorate on WSCR, the team won’t be pleased.
Greeley isn’t playing his hand right now. He says the Bears have “a valued business relationship with WBBM,” with a contract that runs through the 2004 season. Notice no mention of WSCR.
Asked if the coach’s show on WSCR could affect the Bears’ future dealings with WBBM, Greeley said: “Everything we do within our broadcasts is intended to speak to and build on the Bears’ brand. If we have a relationship that doesn’t lend itself favorably to the brand, we’d have to re-evaluate.”
Rest assured that the Bears are looking long and hard at the situation. The team expects and can accept criticism on Jauron’s radio show. But having it mocked is another story.
Leaving: WMVP-AM 1000 suffered a big loss when program director Mitch Rosen resigned Friday. Rosen, who will stay at the station into December, is leaving to pursue other opportunities. He won’t have a shortage of interested suitors.
Memorial: A memorial fund has been set up in the memory of Darrian Chapman. If you would like to contribute, send it to the Darrian Chapman Children’s Fund, 1808 Eye St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C., 20006.
