Sam Panayotovich
Sam Panayotovich is a sports reporter and host at FOX 32 Chicago, joining the squad in June 2026.
Before returning home, Sam hosted sports betting shows at NESN in Boston and VSIN in Las Vegas. He's been an analyst with FOX Sports since 2020.
Sam joined WGN Radio 720 as a college intern and quickly became the lead game producer for the Chicago Cubs and Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. He later became a weekend morning anchor and report ed on all the major professional teams in town. Over the years, Sam produced for Roe Conn, David Kaplan, Dave Eanet, John Wiedeman, Troy Murray and Judd Sirott. He also spent nine years announcing college basketball and baseball play-by-play for the UIC Flames.
An East Side native, Sam graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Woodlawn, started college at the University of Illinois and finished at Columbia College Chicago.
Sam loves a cold drink, a good tune and knows that softball should never — ever — be played with gloves.
The latest from Sam Panayotovich
Papa Hops softball tournament gets swinging in return of South Side tradition
One of Chicago's signature summer softball traditions returns Friday as dozens of teams and thousands of fans are expected to gather on the South Side for the 12th annual Papa Hops 16-inch Softball Tournament.