Jeff Joniak

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One of the most energetic and exciting voices of the National Football League, Jeff Joniak has been behind the microphone as the play-by-play announcer of the Chicago Bears since 2000.

Jeff’s passion for the game and for the Bears is linked to a 28-year association with Chicago sports fans. Jeff has hosted the Chicago Bears game day broadcasts since 1997, serves as WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM′s Director of Sports Operations while maintaining his afternoon drive-time sports anchor shifts.

Additionally, Jeff hosts “The Bears Coaches” radio show on WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM with Bears head coach Matt Nagy each Monday night during the season. On game days, Joniak and Bears analyst Tom Thayer co-host Bears produced television shows, “Bears Game Day Live” and “Bears Game Night Live.” During the season, Jeff pens his weekly “Keys to the Game” on ChicagoBears.com

Jeff and the Bears Radio staff earned 2011, 2009, and 2007 Peter Lisagor Awards, multiple Associated Press “Best Sports Reporting” awards for “Joniak’s Journal” heard in the WBBM Bears radio pre-game show including in 2013 and in 2006 for their coverage of Super Bowl XLI. Jeff earned the Silver Dome Award for “Best Play-by-Play” in 2006, and 2007, 2009, and 2013 regional RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards for “Joniak’s Journal”. He also has earned Chicago Midwest television Emmy Awards in 2009 and 2012 for his work on the Bears television shows.

Throughout the year, Jeff is asked to Emcee events related to his work with the Bears including the National Football Foundation Scholarship Awards, the Ed Block Courage Award, the annual Chicago Bears Care Gala, and Lurie Children’s Hospital annual fundraiser.

Before tackling Halas Hall, Jeff co-hosted the game day broadcasts for the Chicago Bulls during their championship years from 1991 to 1996. Jeff’s first broadcasting job was at Sports Phone in Chicago, followed by stops at the Tribune Radio Network, Illinois News Network, CLTV, and Metro Networks where he started the sports department. It was at the old WMAQ Radio that Jeff became Sports Director, worked on the Bulls broadcasts, anchored morning drive, and started with the Bears in 1997, as co-host of the pre- and post-game shows.

Jeff is a 1980 graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, and a 1984 Broadcast Journalism graduate of Iowa State University.

on-air

WBBM Newsradio

audio from WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM

W B B M Newsradio

Jeff Joniak