Ryan Baker exits CBS Chicago for new role at non-profit
Concludes more than thirty years as an on-air anchor
After eighteen years as a sports and general news anchor at CBS-owned WBBM-TV, Ryan Baker is stepping down and exiting broadcasting to take a new role at a local non-profit. The news was first reported at Newsblues, and later confirmed by the station. His final day on the air ins June 25.
Baker is joining First Tee Greater Chicago, an organization who mentors youth through the game of golf. According to its website, First Tee “[Empowers] young people through the game of golf, teaching life skills and core values that inspire growth on and off the course. Integrating golf with a life skills curriculum allows us to create experiences that build character for thousands of Chicago-area youth each year. By placing a special focus on the Five Key Commitments, we instill valuable life lessons such as pursuing goals, growing through challenges, and building positive self-identity.”
First Tee has a total of 1,700 class hours, twelve program locations, and more than 2,700 people registered with the program with 85 coaches and junior coaches and over one hundred volunteers.
Baker reflected on his career and his next adventure:
“Having grown up in the south suburbs watching Channel 2 every night and idolizing the legendary Johnny Morris, it’s been an indescribable dream come true to sit in his sports anchor chair for the bulk of the last 18 years at WBBM-TV,” said Baker. “However, I’m ready for the next chapter and challenge in my life as I continue to serve the community as the CEO of First Tee Greater Chicago. I depart with nothing but sincere gratitude to my talented colleagues, and terrific station managers. But most of all, thank you to the Chicagoland viewers who’ve trusted and supported me for over two decades.”
Born in Chicago Heights and raised in Phoenix (a small south suburb nestled between Harvey and South Holland), Baker graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and worked at WCIA-TV and the now-defunct WICD-TV in the market. He later went to San Diego’s KFMB-TV and then Orlando’s WKMG-TV where he was a sports anchor from 1995 to 2003, and also hosted several sports-related shows for the CBS affiliate.
Baker entered Chicago television in 2003 as sports anchor for NBC-owned WMAQ-TV, where he also co-hosted Sports Sunday and Chicago Bears-related programming, when they had the rights. Baker jumped to CBS Chicago in April 2008 in the same capacity, and also served as sports director at the station. In 2019, Baker was named news anchor of its morning newscast, a role he held until he returned to sports two years ago. He also moonlighted at the Big Ten Network from 2016 to 2018, where he was studio host.
“Ryan Baker’s impact on the Chicago sports landscape is truly immeasurable,” said Jennifer Lyons, regional president and general manager of CBS Chicago and CBS Detroit (WWJ-TV). “For decades he has been a trusted voice for fans and a respected presence in our newsroom, as well as a committed member of the Chicago community. We are grateful for his many contributions to CBS Chicago and wish him continued success.”
Baker’s schedule marks the latest change in Chicago sports media. On Monday, Chicago native Sam Panayotovich joined WFLD’s sports team, joining Tina Nugyen and Cassie Carlson, who replaced Lou Canellis in the lead sports anchor role after he moved over to WMAQ in the same capacity.