Jarrett Payton is stepping away from WGN after 10 years, ending a long run as a familiar face on Chicago sports television.
Payton announced the decision on social media on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and said the move comes from the heart. He said he wants to spend more time with his family, calling them the most important part of his world.
A decade at WGN
Payton began his run at WGN in 2015 and spent the next 10 years working as a sports anchor for the station. The departure closes a notable chapter for both Payton and WGN, where he became a steady presence for viewers in Chicago.
Before moving into broadcasting, Payton played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and later had professional football stints across multiple leagues. That background helped give him a natural connection to the sports stories he covered on air.
What Payton said
In his message, Payton thanked viewers for watching, welcoming him into their lives and showing kindness לאורך the years. He said that support meant a great deal to him and reminded him that what he shared with the audience went far beyond sports.
He also thanked Rick, Akemi, WGN and Nexstar for believing in him, and singled out Jen Lyons for taking a chance on him early in his career. Payton added a separate thank you to Dan Roan and Rich King for their guidance, patience and mentorship.
Payton said he will continue looking for ways to stay connected to the station he loves, suggesting this may be a farewell from his day-to-day role rather than a complete break from the organization. For WGN viewers, though, the immediate change is clear: one of the station’s longtime sports voices is moving on after a decade-long stretch.
