White Sox, Bulls shift radio broadcasts to WLS-AM

The long-rumored deal involving the White Sox leaving their current radio broadcast partners is now official.

But it now comes with a twist: the Bulls will be joining them in the move.

Bulls and White Sox officials jointly announced Thursday that WLS AM-890 will be their flagship radio station in a multiyear agreement with Cumulus Media, Inc. White Sox games will air on WLS beginning next season, while Bulls games will move to the station beginning with the 2016-17 NBA season.

Radio rights to the White Sox have been held by WSCR 670-AM since 2006. ESPN AM-1000 has been the Bulls' flagship since 1996, except for one season.

The move by the White Sox opens the door for CBS radio to shift Cubs games next season from WBBM AM-780 to sister station WSCR 670-AM.

The agreement with Cumulus radio runs through 2021 with both teams and includes all Bulls preseason, regular and postseason games and all White Sox regular and postseason games, select spring training and exhibition games, as well as weekly original programming.

In addition to WLS AM-890, Chicago stations in the Cumulus family include WLS FM-94.7, WLUP FM-97.9 and WKQX FM -101.1.

In addition to live game broadcasts, spring training, preseason and exhibition broadcasts, the agreement includes pre- and postgame programming and a weekly year-round show for each team that features highlights, a preview of the week ahead, as well as interviews with players, coaches and the White Sox and Bulls front office.