Jim Rose, the acclaimed sports director and anchor of WLS, will be retiring on September 15, marking the end of his illustrious 41-year tenure at the Chicago ABC-owned station.
WLS President and General Manager John Idler commended Rose’s exceptional contributions, stating, “The excellence Jim has shown as a reporter in the locker room and behind the anchor desk has been invaluable to us as a station. But even more important, Jim has served as a role model for countless young men in our community. Thank you, J.R., for these four remarkable decades.”
Rose commenced his journey with WLS in 1982, and over the years, he has become synonymous with Chicago sports coverage. Jennifer Graves, Vice President of News, reminisced about Rose’s memorable moments, saying, “Jim has covered some of the biggest thrills in Chicago sports history with expertise and excitement. Chicago sports fans will never forget when he got drenched in champagne, courtesy of Michael Jordan, as we will never forget Jim’s contributions to ABC 7 Chicago.”
Beyond his sports reporting, Jim Rose’s legacy in Chicago extends far beyond the confines of the sports arena. For nearly three decades, he has co-hosted the Bud Billiken Parade, one of the largest African-American parades in the country. Notably, as the President of the Swan Group, one of Rose’s proudest achievements was his involvement in the construction and funding of the Swan House, a home generously donated to a single mother.
Rose’s broadcasting journey began while serving in the U.S. Army, where he served as the sports director for AFN-TV in Berlin, West Germany. Reflecting on his career, Rose harkened back to famous ring announcers, saying, “When I started my career, it was ring announcer Michael Buffer’s famous line, ‘Let’s get ready to rumble.’ As I close out 50-plus years in broadcasting, I will quote ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, ‘It’s time.’ It has been my privilege to serve the citizens of Chicagoland for over 41 years. I’ve had a ball!”
The retirement of Rose marks the end of an era in Chicago’s sports journalism, leaving behind a rich legacy and fond memories for fans and colleagues alike.
Reel Chicago wishes Jim the best of luck.
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