We’ve all seen internet arguments get out of hand, but usually, they don’t involve a Chicago sports radio icon, the FBI, and a northern pike.
As first reported by Wide Open Spaces, back in March of 2025, Dan Bernstein—longtime co-host on Chicago’s 670 The Score—found himself in some incredibly hot water after an online fishing flex took a dark, bizarre turn. For a guy who spends his days dissecting sports strategy, he completely misplayed his hand on social media, resulting in him suddenly being “off the air for the week” and ultimately leading to his firing.
It all started innocently enough: Bernstein posted a selfie with a fish he had caught. Enter the internet critics. One social media user chimed in to question Bernstein’s angling ethics, replying:
“LOL, that isn’t walleye, that is a female northern pike that was getting ready to spawn, but instead Dan killed it and seems proud of it.”
For most public figures, this is where you scroll past or, at most, drop a quick “Nope, it was safely released!” But Bernstein took the bait—hook, line, and sinker.
Bernstein didn’t just defend his sportsmanship; he went absolutely nuclear. Insisting the fish “took off like a torpedo,” he launched into a profanity-laced tirade, openly daring the critic to a fight and declaring, “I’m a bad enemy, f—ker.”
If he had stopped there, he might have just looked a little too online. Instead, things took a sharp turn into doxxing territory. Bernstein allegedly tracked down the user’s personal details, bragging that he knew where the man worked and hinting that he had his address and phone number.
The worst part is that the radio host reportedly threatened to involve the user’s children in the feud. That move prompted the social media user to report Bernstein directly to his boss, Mitch Rosen, as well as the FBI.
Unsurprisingly, the internet didn’t take kindly to a major media personality threatening a listener over fish conservation. Other users immediately swarmed the comments, with one mocking, “Dan, you definitely killed that fish. And then lied about it… Now please feel free to reach out for my address.”
By the time Monday rolled around, Bernstein was noticeably absent from his usual radio slot. His co-host, Marshall Harris, casually mentioned that Bernstein “has the week off,” while station management and parent company Audacy remained completely tight-lipped until they announced his firing after the week.
The Moral of the Story
Some radio hosts are paid to have loud, aggressive opinions about sports, but trying to ruin someone’s life over a pike selfie is a swift way to get benched. Next time, Dan, just log off and let the fish stories stay stories. You hear this, Cap? lol
Here’s a follow-up interview from him after the firing, in case you are interested:
(and before anybody goes on about the feature image, 1. Yes, it is AI 2. we are aware it isn’t realistic. Thank you)