ABC 7 Chicago’s Jim Rose is retiring as Sports director and anchor for ABC 7’s top-rated 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts. This marks the conclusion of a 41-year career with Chicago’s leading news station. Rose will anchor his final sportscast on Friday, Sept. 15, at 10 p.m.
“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,” said John Idler, president, and general manager of ABC 7 Chicago. Rose said, “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!” Rose has three grandchildren; he and his wife, Lakesha Rose, live in Chicago.
