Introduction to Leila Rahimi’s New Role
The Score named Leila Rahimi as Dan Bernstein’s permanent replacement on its midday show Monday alongside Marshall Harris. Rahimi and Harris have been co-hosting together since the station fired Bernstein on March 21 after an ugly social-media exchange.
Background and Experience
Rahimi will lead the show, becoming the first full-time female lead sports-radio host during prime hours in Chicago. Bears reporter Mark Grote will join the show twice each week. “I’ve been happy to be a part of The Score team on a regular basis since late 2020, and I’m very excited to add a new chapter hosting the midday show in this role,” Rahimi said in a press release. “The support The Score listeners have shown over the years has meant the world to me, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them every day from 10 to 2 o’clock.”
Reaction from The Score Vice President
In a memo obtained by the Sun-Times, The Score vice president Mitch Rosen told staff, “Leila Rahimi will join Marshall Harris for the ‘Rahimi and Harris’ show. Obviously, Leila isn’t new to The Score and is a long-time, valued teammate to many of us. We are so excited to start this new chapter in Score history with Leila and Marshall. Leila brings knowledge, passion and so much respect in the Chicago sports landscape and our hallways.
Career History
Rahimi begins her second tour as a full-timer at the Audacy-owned station. She co-hosted the midday show with Bernstein from January 2021 to March 2022 before becoming NBC 5’s lead sports anchor, a job no woman had held at the station. Rahimi continued appearing on The Score on Wednesdays, then added Tuesdays. She left NBC 5 in October 2024, telling the Sun-Times, “At this time, NBC and I have parted ways. I value my experience, time and relationships there, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds!” NBC 5 never commented on her departure, which remains a mystery to many.
Early Career and Education
Rahimi arrived in Chicago in 2015, joining Comcast SportsNet as an anchor, host and reporter. In August 2020, the rebranded NBC Sports Chicago let her go as part of layoffs throughout NBCUniversal. NBC 5 put her back on TV in November 2021 after former lead anchor Siafa Lewis left the station. A Dallas-area native, Rahimi began her career in radio at 19, giving updates on The Ticket in Dallas for four years. She then moved to TV at Fox Sports Southwest, where she worked her way from production assistant to associate producer to sideline reporter. Rahimi also has worked in Austin, San Diego, Houston and Philadelphia, where she worked with Harris at the Comcast SportsNet affiliate.
The Circumstances Surrounding Dan Bernstein’s Departure
Bernstein had been at The Score for 30 years and was the last link to its original era. On March 14, he posted a picture of himself on X holding a northern pike he caught with the message, “This was a helluva fight.” A user accused him of killing the fish, and Bernstein replied that it was “released successfully.” After the user called Bernstein a liar, Bernstein responded, “I never respond to trolls, but questioning my sportsmanship and conservation awareness sets me off. Wanna fight? I’m a bad enemy, [expletive].” The exchange continued, and Bernstein threatened to dox the user before posting, “Want your kids involved?” Bernstein was off the air the following week, at the end of which The Score announced he would not return.
Conclusion
Leila Rahimi’s appointment as the permanent replacement for Dan Bernstein on The Score’s midday show marks a new era for the station. With her extensive experience in sports broadcasting and her familiarity with the Chicago sports landscape, Rahimi is well-positioned to lead the show to success. Her history with The Score and her passion for sports make her an excellent choice for this role.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Leila Rahimi’s co-host on The Score’s midday show?
A: Leila Rahimi’s co-host on The Score’s midday show is Marshall Harris. - Q: What is notable about Leila Rahimi’s new role?
A: Leila Rahimi is the first full-time female lead sports-radio host during prime hours in Chicago. - Q: Why was Dan Bernstein fired from The Score?
A: Dan Bernstein was fired from The Score after an ugly social-media exchange where he threatened to dox a user and involved the user’s kids in the conversation.
