7 Shocking Changes To The ESPN 1000 Chicago Lineup That Are Reshaping Chicago Sports Talk In 2025

Chicago sports talk radio is undergoing its biggest shakeup in years, with ESPN 1000 Chicago (WMVP-AM) unveiling a completely revamped weekday programming schedule set to launch on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. This aggressive move by owner Good Karma Brands aims to consolidate the station's position as the definitive home for Chicago sports fans, blending beloved local personalities with a major national star, creating a powerful new listening experience for the 2025 NFL and MLB seasons. The changes affect nearly every major time slot, from morning drive to the afternoon commute, promising fresh debates and a new rhythm for discussing the Chicago Bears, White Sox, Bulls, and more.

The new lineup is designed to maximize local appeal while integrating high-profile national content, a strategy that directly addresses the evolving landscape of sports media. By adjusting the times for fan-favorite shows like Kap & J Hood and Carmen & Jurko, and adding a major figure like Rich Eisen, ESPN Chicago is ensuring its content remains fresh and appointment-listening. This detailed breakdown covers every major shift, the new hosts, and what it means for the future of Chicago sports radio.

The New ESPN 1000 Chicago Lineup and Star Host Biographies (Starting September 2, 2025)

The 2025 programming schedule features a strategic blend of local heavyweights and premier national broadcasts, solidifying ESPN 1000's topical authority in the Chicago market. Here is the full breakdown of the new Monday-Friday lineup and the key personalities driving the conversation.

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The Full Weekday Schedule (Monday - Friday)

• 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM: Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty and Michelle (National)
• 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Kap & J. Hood (Local Morning Drive)
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Carmen & Jurko (Local Midday)
• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: The Rich Eisen Show (National Feature)
• 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Bleck & Abdalla Uninterrupted (Local Feature)
• 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Waddle & Silvy (Local Afternoon Drive)
• 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: ESPN National Radio (Varies)
• 7:00 PM – 5:00 AM: ESPN National Radio Programming / Live Game Broadcasts

Key Local and National Personalities (The Entities)

• David Kaplan (Kap): Co-host of Kap & J. Hood. A longtime Chicago sports fixture, known for his deep connections to the Bulls and Cubs organizations and his passionate, opinionated takes on the Chicago Bears and White Sox.
• Jonathan Hood (J Hood): Co-host of Kap & J. Hood. Known for his energetic style, pop culture references, and unique perspective that balances out Kaplan's veteran insights.
• Carmen DeFalco: Co-host of Carmen & Jurko. A veteran broadcaster and a pillar of the midday show, known for his sharp analysis and ability to drive engaging, long-form discussion.
• John 'Jurko' Jurkovic: Co-host of Carmen & Jurko. A former Chicago Bears defensive lineman, Jurko provides a unique, unfiltered perspective from a professional athlete's viewpoint, particularly on Bears Football.
• Marc Silverman (Silvy): Co-host of the iconic afternoon show Waddle & Silvy. Known for his professionalism, strong interviewing skills, and his role as the straight man to Waddle's fiery takes.
• Tom Waddle: Co-host of Waddle & Silvy. A former Chicago Bears wide receiver, Waddle is celebrated for his candid, emotional, and often humorous commentary, especially regarding the state of the Bears team.
• Rich Eisen: Host of The Rich Eisen Show. A nationally recognized figure from his time at ESPN and the NFL Network, Eisen's show brings high-profile interviews and national sports context to the Chicago airwaves.
• Chris Bleck & Adam Abdalla: Hosts of the new Bleck & Abdalla Uninterrupted hour. These emerging voices represent the next generation of Chicago sports talk, offering fresh, energetic perspectives on the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox.
• Evan Cohen, Chris Canty, & Michelle Smallmon: Hosts of the national morning show Unsportsmanlike, providing a national lead-in to the local Chicago sports day.

1. The Rich Eisen Show Joins the Roster (The National Power Play)

The biggest headline of the 2025 revamp is the addition of The Rich Eisen Show to the midday schedule. This nationally syndicated program, hosted by the former ESPN and current NFL Network star Rich Eisen, will air from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. This move is a clear signal that Good Karma Brands is leveraging its relationship with ESPN to bring top-tier national talent to the Chicago market, offering listeners a compelling mix of NFL insider information and high-profile celebrity interviews during a key daytime slot.

By inserting a two-hour national show into the middle of the day, ESPN 1000 is directly competing with other local stations by offering content that is impossible to replicate locally. The show’s focus on the NFL is particularly strategic, serving as a perfect bridge between the morning's local Bears debate and the afternoon's deep-dive analysis.

2. Kap & J Hood Take Over the New Morning Drive (6 AM - 9 AM)

The popular morning show, Kap & J. Hood, featuring David Kaplan and Jonathan Hood, is moving up one hour to anchor the critical 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM time slot. This shift positions the show to directly tackle the biggest news of the day, from the previous night's White Sox or Bulls game to the latest Chicago Bears rumors. Kaplan's veteran perspective and Hood's energetic delivery have made them a staple for listeners seeking immediate, passionate reaction to Chicago's sports landscape, and their new time slot reflects their importance to the station's local identity.

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3. Carmen & Jurko Move to Midday (9 AM - 12 PM)

The duo of Carmen DeFalco and former Bears defensive tackle John 'Jurko' Jurkovic are moving from their previous slot to the 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM midday show. This move replaces a national program and gives listeners three consecutive hours of dedicated, local Chicago sports talk following the morning rush. The Carmen & Jurko show is known for its strong chemistry, deep dives into the nuances of the games, and Jurko’s unfiltered, player-level insight on the Bears. The new time allows them to expand on the morning's headlines and engage in more detailed, long-form discussions.

4. The Rise of Bleck & Abdalla Uninterrupted (2 PM - 3 PM)

A new local hour, Bleck & Abdalla Uninterrupted, featuring Chris Bleck and Adam Abdalla, has been strategically placed from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This hour serves as a crucial local bridge between The Rich Eisen Show and the afternoon drive. Bleck and Abdalla are rising stars in the Chicago sports media scene, and their "uninterrupted" hour is a chance for them to provide high-energy, contemporary takes on the Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and the evolving state of the White Sox organization before the biggest show of the day takes over.

5. Waddle & Silvy Remain the Afternoon Drive Kings (3 PM - 6:30 PM)

Despite the massive changes around them, the undisputed kings of Chicago sports talk, Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman, remain firmly in place during the afternoon drive from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Waddle & Silvy is consistently one of the highest-rated sports talk shows in the market, and their retention in the prime commute slot ensures stability and star power for the station. Their show is the final word on the day's sports news, often featuring high-profile interviews and Waddle's famously passionate takes on the Chicago Bears, which resonate deeply with the fanbase.

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6. ESPN 1000 Solidifies Its Home for Chicago Teams (Radio Rights)

The new lineup reinforces ESPN 1000's position as the official radio home for two of Chicago's biggest sports franchises. The station is the flagship for the Chicago Bears Radio Network, a partnership that began in 2023, providing play-by-play coverage and extensive pre- and post-game shows featuring personalities like Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman.

Furthermore, ESPN 1000 AM (WMVP) is the official radio broadcast home for the Chicago White Sox 2025 season and beyond. This is a critical distinction, as the TV broadcast rights for the White Sox (along with the Bulls and Blackhawks) have moved to a new venture, the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN). However, the radio rights for the White Sox and Bears remain with ESPN 1000, ensuring that fans can tune in to the station for comprehensive game coverage and analysis.

7. The Good Karma Brands Strategy: Local First, National Best

The entire 2025 schedule overhaul is a testament to the strategy of Good Karma Brands, the station's owner. The company has demonstrated a commitment to investing heavily in local content, as evidenced by the expanded hours for Kap & J. Hood and Carmen & Jurko, and the creation of the new Bleck & Abdalla hour. This focus ensures that the majority of the daytime schedule is dedicated to highly specific, relevant Chicago-centric sports debate.

By strategically integrating national hits like the popular morning show Unsportsmanlike and the star power of The Rich Eisen Show, ESPN 1000 offers a unique value proposition. The station provides the essential local analysis that Chicago fans crave while also delivering the high-level national commentary and insider access that only a major network like ESPN can provide. This blend of local topical authority and national prestige sets a new, aggressive standard for sports talk radio in the Windy City. The changes are a clear move to dominate the market by offering the most comprehensive and compelling daily sports audio experience.