Leila Rahimi out at NBC 5
No replacement has been named as of yet
If you’re wondering where Leila Rahimi’s been regarding her nightly sports anchor position, well, wonder no more.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Rahimi left NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) a few weeks ago, leaving Mike Berman as the only sports person on staff at the NBC-owned station. Rahimi’s exit follows Ruthie Polinsky’s last month for CHSN.
Rahimi did sports on the station’s evening newscasts, and Sports Sunday, a show Berman now hosts with former Bears coach Dave Wannstedt through the football season. She also hosted programming on the now-defunct NBC Sports Chicago, which closed on September 30 as the Chicago White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks shifted to the new Chicago Sports Network or CHSN.
Her other job at Audacy’s 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) isn’t impacted as she continues on Dan Bernstein’s and Marshall Harris’ midday show twice a week, where she did not discuss her departure from NBC 5.
Rahimi confirmed her departure to the Sun-Times but didn’t elaborate further. Neither her agent nor NBC 5 have commented on her exit.
Her exodus comes at a time when local stations nationwide are cutting back due to declining ad revenue, and the decreasing impact of linear TV as viewers are increasingly cutting the cord (although the recent CHSN debacle with Comcast/Xfinity may debunk that notion, at least in Chicago.). Recently, the ABC-owned stations made layoffs throughout the station group, including an unspecified number at ABC 7 (WLS-TV), though no on-air employees were mentioned. Other on-air exits this year include Brad Edwards at CBS 2 (WBBM-TV) and Gaynor Hall at WGN-TV.
Scripps announced last month that 200 employees would be eliminated among cutbacks at Scripps News. Hubbard’s radio cluster also cut two radio personalities earlier this month.
A native of Denton, Tex., Rahimi arrived at the former Comcast SportsNet Chicago in 2015 but was laid off from the RSN in 2020. She joined 670 The Score in 2021, becoming the first female to co-host a sports radio show full-time in Chicago. A few months later, she returned to local TV as a part-time sports anchor and co-host of Sports Sunday, being promoted to full-time leading her to cut back on her appearances at WSCR.
Who do we need to talk to!!!
Leila is our favorite sports broadcaster! WTH!
NBC you bring on one of the most losing coaches the Bears ever had and think this is a good idea?
Leila is the best, new ideas, great insight, and we’ll be following her!!!
Rick Kinsella, Palatine, IL
Rahimi was ok..but like many other peronalies she has NO loyalty to the Chicago area teams like David Kaplan , Adam Hoge etc. Shes like many others who will move on to what ever venue is paying her next like Jen Lada. Home grown reporters like Mark Potash are the best types to have around and keep around. Rahimi can go back to Texas where she came from.
She’s not all that, yet on the radio she claims to be..buh bye sweetie
Wow, little harsh. I think has much to offer
She was always informed. She knew she had to be right because she is a woman. She never disappointed with her knowledge, insight, and drive for the answer.
she was the best- and for out of town Chicagoans watching sports on the Directv- she will be sorely missed..
How did you the idiot on WMAQ outside of Chicago
She’ is a breath of fresh air who doesn’t shy from asking tough questions. Miss her already.