MIKE BERMAN.
Strategic Communicator · Storyteller · SPEAKER · coach
For 20 years, I made my living getting people to stop and pay attention.
As sports anchor and reporter at NBC 5 Chicago, I earned audience trust in a top-3 US market, covered every major sporting event in America, and closed sponsorship deals on credibility alone.
Now I’m bringing those skills to the corporate world: storytelling that moves people, relationships that open doors, and communication that performs under pressure.
Storytelling & Content Strategy
Shapes complex stories for the right audience — executive messaging, brand narrative, and organic content that builds loyal audiences from scratch.
SKILLS
Sports Industry Relationships
Personal relationships with coaches, athletes, agents, and C-suite executives across a $500B+ industry. High-trust access most communications professionals spend careers trying to build.
Earned Media & PR
Spent two decades inside newsrooms deciding what gets covered. Brings that insider fluency to media relations, journalist outreach, and PR strategy that actually lands.
High-Stakes Communication
Delivered live television in a top-3 market — no scripts, no second takes, no margin for error. Brings that same composure to crisis communications and executive presence under pressure.
Media Training & Coaching
Has sat across from hundreds of high-profile figures and coached executives on message clarity, on-camera presence, and communicating with authority.
Public Speaking & Facilitation
Experienced emcee, panel moderator, and on-air talent. Commands large rooms, elevates conversations, and represents organizations with credibility and polish.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Anchored sports at NBC 5 Chicago for nearly a decade — one of America’s most competitive TV markets, serving 3.6 million viewers nightly
Covered the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, Indy 500, Final Four, College World Series and more — delivering live under full broadcast pressure
Closed $150K+ in sponsorship deals for radio segments with a near-perfect renewal rate — identified leads, built relationships, and closed on credibility alone
Mentored 100+ journalists and communications professionals on storytelling, on-camera presence, and message clarity — including executives preparing for high-stakes appearances
EXPERIence
2016 – 2026
Sports Anchor & Reporter
NBC 5 / WMAQ, Chicago, IL · Market #3
2014 – 2016
Lead Sports Anchor
WTTV-TV / CBS, Indianapolis, IN
2008 – 2014
Sports Anchor & Reporter
Time Warner Cable News, Austin, TX
2006 – 2008
Sports Anchor & Reporter
WICS-TV / ABC, Springfield, IL
Emcee & Host
I've emceed high-profile charity fundraisers including Dancing With Chicago Celebrities — conducting live, unscripted interviews with contestants in front of hundreds of guests.
Moderator
I've led conversations at the highest levels of sports and community leadership:
Chicago Sports Summit — moderated panels with pro sports owners and executives before packed audiences
YMCA Fundraisers — hosted fireside chats with Olympic Gold Medalists
Team Israel Baseball — facilitated discussions with coaches, players, and executives
Israel Cancer Research Fund — led "Revolving Tables" roundtables on career goals and strategies, returning multiple times as a featured discussion leader
Speaker
Whether I'm addressing a company, a packed ballroom, senior sports fans, synagogue/church communities or a lecture hall full of students, I connect. Drawing on my sports journalism journey, I make each event memorable by sharing unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories, insight about sports and journalism, and the inspirational message that if you’re committed and resilient, your dream can come true just like mine did. Audiences typically range from small groups to 300–400 people, and I always save time for Q&A, which never fails to produce a lot of laughter and a memorable end to the event.