Jason Benetti exits White Sox; joins Tigers as new broadcaster

Leaves with one year left on contract

In stunning news, Chicago White Sox announcer Jason Benetti is exiting as announcer for the team and taking the same position as the TV voice of the Detroit Tigers. He replaces Matt Shepard in the role, who wasn’t exactly popular with the Tigers fanbase. 

“I’m incredibly proud to join this historic and ascending Tigers franchise,” Benetti said in a statement. “From every single person I talked with throughout the interview process it was clear why so many respected professionals and creative people have joined the organization in the last several years. There’s something special about it, and I’m excited to bring that energy to Tigers fans around the globe.”

Benetti exits with a year left on his contract, which was bought out. A native from south suburban Homewood, Benetti joined the White Sox booth in 2016 as the heir apparent to Ken “Hawk” Harrelson, who initially did all home games and took over full-time after Harrelson retired (though now Harrelson said this wasn’t the case.) Benetti did sign a contract renewal back in January, but the relationship reportedly soured given Benetti’s commitments to other gigs, notably with Fox where he does baseball, college football, and college basketball. 

Tigers games are broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit, but Benetti is employed by the team, not the struggling RSN. Where the Tigers’ would be broadcast is up in the air after the 2024 season after MLB and bankrupt Bally parent Diamond Sports agreed to part ways. 

The news of Benetti’s departure is the latest PR mess for the beleaguered team, who is struggling with low TV ratings and even lower attendance in a sport who recently saw its worst World Series numbers in history. The flubs also include a shooting at Guaranteed Rate Field in August and the mishandling of now-former teammate Tim Anderson, who was once heralded as the face of the franchise and baseball’s now-dissipated “fun movement”.

There’s also speculation the team may relocate to another city once its lease at Guaranteed Rate Field is up as the stadium is certainly not in the best location (the ballpark is adjacent to the crime-ridden Wentworth Gardens housing development to the south.) 

The White Sox does have company, as the continued futility of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls, and the recent Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault scandal has made the last two years less than fun for local sports fans, whose apathy showed up in the last ratings survey as listeners are tuning out of Chicago sports talk radio stations. 

No word on who would replace Benetti as of yet, but names being banded about include Mike Monaco.