RIP, HOWARD: Balson, voice of the Chicago Sting football team, died

Howard Balson was the voice of Chicago football. (Photo from Peter Wilt’s Facebook page)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Publisher

Howard Balson, longtime voice of Chicago football and especially the Chicago Sting, has passed away.

He was 91.

Balson worked on Sting matches on radio and television.

Born on July 7, 1932, Balson grew up in a Chicago suburb and over time became one of the beautiful game’s most recognizable media personalities in the Midwest, if not the entire country.

He commented on more than 1,000 football matches at several levels.

Former Chicago Fire general manager Peter Wilt announced Balson’s death on his Facebook page on Saturday.

“RIP Howard Balson, a Renaissance man. He was an educator, banker, restaurant owner, sports manager and sportscaster,” Wilt wrote. “Above all, he was a kind person. Even early in my football career, Howard gave me tremendous confidence with his kind and sincere words.”

“Before I knew him in real life, I knew and admired Howard as the voice of the NASL Chicago Sting & WHA Chicago Cougars. Listening to his commentary on the 1981 Sting NASL Soccer Bowl Championship was and remains one of the most memorable and special sports moments of my life.

“A decade later, I had the honor of working with him at Chicago Power. Ten years after the Sting won the title, Howard provided live coverage on the radio broadcast of the Power’s 1991 championship victory while I served as analyst. Howard also served as stadium announcer during the early glory years of @chicagofire. We remained friends long afterward, often sharing memories of the Chicago sports history he witnessed, shared with the world, and even helped create. Peace. 🐝🐆✊️🔥”

Not surprisingly, Balson was a versatile announcer, working in countless competitions and calling many high school football and basketball games in the greater Chicago area.

He also served as an announcer for the Mutual Radio Network for several broadcasts in the original North American Soccer League and signed a contract to work on syndicated radio broadcasts of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

Balson was much more than just an announcer, as he was Sting’s marketing director and public relations director.

Before joining The Sting, Balson was a columnist for a local weekly newspaper and won state and national awards. He also served as retail advertising and promotions director for a major Chicago-based shoe manufacturer and sales director for a marketing firm.

Balson was once president of the Chicago chapter of the Professional Soccer Reporters Association.

After the Sting’s bankruptcy, Balson became president of the Chicago Power, who competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association, which eventually changed its name to the National Professional Soccer League.