History of Chicago Bulls in Timeline
The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team established in 1966, based in Chicago, Illinois. They compete in the NBA as part of the Eastern Conference's Central Division. The Bulls began playing in the 1966-67 NBA season. They share the United Center arena with the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL, a venue that replaced the Chicago Stadium.
1961: Chicago Packers/Zephyrs
In 1961, The Chicago Packers/Zephyrs existed as an NBA team.
1963: Chicago Packers/Zephyrs
In 1963, The Chicago Packers/Zephyrs existed as an NBA team.
January 16, 1966: Team Founded
On January 16, 1966, the Chicago Bulls were founded as an American professional basketball team based in Chicago.
1966: Original Bulls Logo Adopted
In 1966, the Chicago Bulls adopted their iconic logo, a red, charging bull's face, designed by Dean P. Wessel.
1966: Expansion Draft and Inaugural Season
In 1966, the Chicago Bulls participated in the NBA expansion draft and began their inaugural 1966-67 season under coach Johnny "Red" Kerr.
1967: Attendance Drop
In the 1967-68 season, the Chicago Bulls experienced a drop in fan interest, with one game having an official attendance of only 891.
1969: Red Uniforms Tweaked
For the 1969–70 season, the Chicago Bulls' red uniforms were tweaked to include the city name.
1969: Introduction of Benny the Bull
In 1969, Benny the Bull, the main mascot of the Chicago Bulls, was first introduced. Benny is a red bull who wears number 1 and is known as one of the oldest and best-known mascots in professional sports.
1969: Klein's Resignation and Williams' Hiring
In 1969, Dick Klein resigned as general manager, and Pat Williams was hired to revitalize the Chicago Bulls franchise.
1970: Cavaliers join the NBA
In 1970 the Cleveland Cavaliers joined the NBA as an expansion team and began the Chicago Bulls–Cavaliers rivalry
1972: Franchise Record of 57 Wins
In 1972, the Chicago Bulls set a franchise record with 57 wins, relying on key players like Sloan, Love, Walker, and Van Lier.
1973: Drastic Uniform Changes
For the 1973–74 season, the Chicago Bulls drastically changed their look, removing the side stripes and drop shadows while moving the front numbers to the left chest. The white uniforms saw the "Bulls" wordmark go from a vertically arched to radially arched arrangement, while the red uniforms featured black lettering and a script "Chicago" wordmark.
1974: First Conference Finals Appearance
In the 1974-74 season, the Chicago Bulls made their first appearance in the conference finals, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in four games.
1975: Conference Finals Appearance
In the 1974-75 season, the Chicago Bulls made the conference finals again but lost to the Golden State Warriors in a 4-3 series.
1976: ABA Dispersal Draft
In 1976, Artis Gilmore joined the Chicago Bulls after being acquired in the ABA dispersal draft, alongside players like Reggie Theus, David Greenwood, and Orlando Woolridge.
1979: Missed Draft Pick for Magic Johnson
In 1979, the Chicago Bulls lost a coin flip for the first pick in the NBA draft and selected David Greenwood instead of Magic Johnson, who was picked by the Los Angeles Lakers.
1982: NCAA Championship Game
In 1982, Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing met in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Game, with Jordan hitting the deciding jumper of the final.
1984: Drafting Michael Jordan
In 1984, the Chicago Bulls drafted Michael Jordan with the third pick of the 1984 NBA draft and decided to rebuild the team around him. Jordan earned NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
1985: Jordan returns from injury for playoffs
After suffering a broken foot early in the 1985-86 season, Michael Jordan returned for the playoffs, leading the Chicago Bulls against the Boston Celtics. He recorded a playoff single-game record of 63 points in Game 2.
1985: Chicago Bulls post season achievements
In 1985 the Chicago Bulls posted the second-best home record in history (39–2), behind only the 1985–86 Celtics 40–1 home mark.
1985: Jerry Reinsdorf Purchases Controlling Stake
In 1985, local businessman Jerry Reinsdorf purchased a controlling stake in the Chicago Bulls.
1985: Uniforms Updated
Starting with the 1985–86 season, the Bulls updated their uniform. Among the more notable changes in the look were centered uniform numbers and a vertically arched "Bulls" wordmark in both the red and white uniforms.
1986: Jordan Leads League in Scoring
In the 1986-87 season, Michael Jordan led the league in scoring with 37.1 points per game and was named to the All-NBA First Team.
1987: Charles Oakley Led League in Rebounds
In 1987, Charles Oakley led the league in total rebounds.
1987: Draft Day Trades
In the 1987 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Olden Polynice and Horace Grant, then traded Polynice for Scottie Pippen.
1988: Jordan named NBA MVP
In 1988, Michael Jordan was named NBA Most Valuable Player, marking the start of the Pistons-Bulls rivalry.
1988: Trade for Cartwright and Perdue
In 1988, the Chicago Bulls traded Charles Oakley to the New York Knicks for Bill Cartwright and Will Perdue.
1988: Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Detroit Pistons
In 1988, the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls met the "Bad Boy" Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, marking the beginning of an intense rivalry.
1989: Phil Jackson Replaces Doug Collins
In 1989, assistant coach Phil Jackson replaced Doug Collins as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
1989: First Playoff Confrontation vs. New York Knicks
In 1989, the Bulls and Knicks had their first playoff confrontation, with the Bulls winning in six games of the Eastern Semifinals.
1989: Black Shoes Tradition Debuts
In 1989, the Chicago Bulls debuted the tradition of wearing black shoes during the playoffs, suggested by Brad Sellers as a way to show team unity.
1990: Ray Clay Replaces Tommy Edwards as Announcer
In 1990, Ray Clay replaced Tommy Edwards as the announcer for the Chicago Bulls, continuing the traditional aspects of the Bulls introductions, including the use of "On The Run" by Pink Floyd and "Sirius" by The Alan Parsons Project.
1990: Franchise Record and Playoffs
In the 1990-91 season, the Chicago Bulls recorded a then-franchise record of 61 wins and swept the defending champion Detroit Pistons in the Conference Finals.
1991: Playoffs vs. New York Knicks
In 1991, the Chicago Bulls met the New York Knicks in the playoffs, marking the beginning of a four-year consecutive playoff series between the two teams.
1991: NBA Championship
In 1991, the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and coach Phil Jackson, won one of their six NBA championships during the 1990s dynasty.
1991: Start of the Pistons-Bulls Rivalry
The 1987–88 season would also mark the start of the Pistons-Bulls rivalry which was formed from 1988 to 1991.
1992: Playoffs vs. New York Knicks
In 1992, the Bulls and Knicks series went the full seven games.
1992: Second Straight Title
In 1992, the Chicago Bulls won their second straight NBA title, racking up another franchise record for wins with 67.
October 6, 1993: Michael Jordan's First Retirement
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball, three months after his father's murder.
1993: Bulls acquire Steve Kerr
Before the 1993–94 NBA season, The Chicago Bulls acquired sharpshooter Steve Kerr via free agency.
1993: Playoffs vs. New York Knicks
In 1993, the Chicago Bulls won against the New York Knicks in the playoffs.
1993: Third Consecutive Championship
In 1993, the Chicago Bulls won their third consecutive championship by defeating the Phoenix Suns in the Finals, with John Paxson's game-winning shot in Game 6.
1994: Pippen Leads Bulls
In 1994, Scottie Pippen led the Chicago Bulls, winning the All-Star MVP, with help from Horace Grant and B.J. Armstrong.
1994: Bulls Roster Changes in 1994
In 1994, the Bulls experienced significant roster changes with the departure of key players like Grant, Cartwright, and Scott Williams, along with Paxson's retirement. However, they acquired Ron Harper and Jud Buechler, while Luc Longley was acquired via trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1994.
1994: Playoffs vs. New York Knicks
In 1994, the New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs after Chicago won the previous three years.
1994: United Center Debut
In 1994, the United Center opened, debuting the first version of the 'Running of the Bulls' video on their Sony Jumbotron, showing a first-person POV of the Bulls running to the United Center.
1994: Bulls win the NBA draft lottery
With only a slim 1.7% chance of winning the rights to draft first overall, the Bulls won the 2008 NBA draft lottery and selected first overall. With this, the Bulls became the team with the lowest chance of winning to ever win the lottery since it was modified for the 1994 NBA draft, and second-lowest ever.
March 18, 1995: Michael Jordan returns from retirement
On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced his return from retirement, providing a significant boost to the Chicago Bulls. In his fifth game back, Jordan scored 55 points against the Knicks and led the Bulls to the fifth seed in the playoffs.
1995: Chicago Bulls post season achievements
In 1995 the Chicago Bulls posted the best road record in a standard 41 road-game season (33–8), the all-time best start by a team (41–3), and the best start at home (37–0). The team triumphed over the Miami Heat in the first round, the New York Knicks in the second round, the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals and finally Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and the Seattle SuperSonics for their fourth title.
1995: Introduction of Da Bull
In 1995, Da Bull was introduced as another mascot of the Chicago Bulls. Da Bull was described on the team website as being the high-flying cousin of Benny, known for his dunking skills. Da Bull wore number 95.
1995: Chicago Bulls' 1995-96 Campaign
In 1995, The Bulls had a great season winning against the Hornets with Michael Jordan scoring 42 points. They also won against the Boston Celtics with six Bulls players scoring in double figures. The 1995-96 Bulls moved from 47-35 to 72-10, becoming the first NBA team to win 70 or more games. Jordan won his eighth scoring title, and Rodman his fifth straight rebounding title, while Kerr finished second in the league in three-point shooting percentage.
1995: 72 Wins Season
In 1995, the Chicago Bulls won 72 games during the 1995-96 season, setting an NBA record.
1995: Michael Jordan Fined for Wearing White Air Jordan XI
In the 1995 playoffs against the Magic, Michael Jordan debuted his Air Jordan XI shoe and wore the white colorway during the Bulls' playoff games in Orlando. He was fined by the Bulls for not complying with their colorway policy.
1995: Black Uniform Added
In the 1995–96 season, the Bulls added a black uniform to their set, featuring red pinstripes and lacking the classic diamond on the shorts.
1996: Bulls' 1996-97 Season
During the 1996-97 season, the Bulls finished with a 69–13 record and went 39–2 at home in the United Center. The Bulls won their fifth NBA championship by defeating the Utah Jazz. Jordan earned his second straight and ninth career scoring title, while Rodman earned his sixth straight rebounding title.
1996: Black Socks Tradition
For the 1996 playoffs, the Bulls became the first team to wear black socks with black shoes, similar to the University of Michigan's Fab Five.
1996: Playoffs vs. New York Knicks
In 1996, the Bulls defeated the New York Knicks in the playoffs, avenging their 1994 loss.
1997: Black Uniforms Modified
From the 1997–98 season, the Bulls wore slightly modified black uniforms without pinstripes.
1997: 'Running of the Bulls' Video Updated
In 1997, the 'Running of the Bulls' video was updated, now with a third-person POV of the Bulls, as well as prominently showing the Michael Jordan Statue as the Bulls arrive to the United Center and a Bull standing on top of the United Center.
1997: Turmoil and Triumph: The Bulls' 1997-98 Season
The 1997-98 season was marked by speculation about Michael Jordan's and Phil Jackson's futures with the team and Scottie Pippen's contract situation. Despite the turmoil, the Bulls achieved a 62–20 record, with Jordan named league MVP for the fifth and final time. They entered the playoffs as the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
1997: Focus of The Last Dance Documentary
The documentary The Last Dance, which was released in 2020, focused on Michael Jordan's career with the Bulls, with particular focus on the team's 1997–98 championship season.
1998: Decline after Championships
After the 1998 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls failed to regain their previous success and struggled throughout the 2000s.
1998: Bulls Reach Eastern Conference Finals
In 1998, Chicago Bulls reached the Eastern Conference finals. In 2011, they would reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1998.
1998: Playoff appearance since 1998
In 2004, the team recovered to finish 47–35, making their first playoff appearance since 1998.
1998: First Series Victory since 1998
In 2006, the Bulls swept the defending champion Miami Heat, marking their first series victory since 1998.
1998: End of an Era: The Bulls' Rebuild in 1998
In the summer of 1998, the Bulls' GM Jerry Krause opted to rebuild the team, trading Scottie Pippen and letting Dennis Rodman leave. Tim Floyd was hired to replace Phil Jackson, and Michael Jordan announced his second retirement. The Bulls finished the 1998–99 season with a 13-37 record.
January 13, 1999: Michael Jordan's Second Retirement
On January 13, 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time in his career.
1999: Return of City Name
During the 1999–2000 season, the Bulls' black uniforms marked the return of the city name in front of the uniform.
1999: Bulls Draft Elton Brand in 1999
In 1999, the Bulls won the draft lottery and drafted Elton Brand. Despite Brand's stellar rookie season, the team struggled and finished with a 17-65 record in the 1999–2000 season.
2000: Bulls performance in 2000
In 2000, Attempts to attract top free agents failed, and new additions like Brad Miller and Ron Mercer didn't improve results, leading to a league-worst 15-67 record the following season.
2000: Return of City Name
The 1999-2000 season saw the return of the city name in front of the Bulls' uniforms
2002: 'Running of the Bulls' Video Updated
In 2002, the 'Running of the Bulls' video was updated with Bulls highlights.
2002: The Chicago Bulls team addition
In 2002–03, The Chicago Bulls added Jay Williams and a young, talented core, but inconsistency limited progress to 30-52.
2003: Changes in the Bulls organization
In 2003, Jerry Krause retired and John Paxson became GM. Also, Williams' career was derailed by a motorcycle accident, and Pippen's return was marred by injuries.
2003: Cavaliers pick LeBron James
In 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers picked LeBron James, intensifying their rivalry with the Chicago Bulls again.
2003: Throwback Uniform Revival
The Chicago Bulls' uniform set from the 1970s was later revived as a throwback uniform during the 2003–04 season.
2004: Bulls Continue Black Shoes Tradition
During the 2004-05 season, the Bulls continued the tradition of wearing black shoes in the playoffs after a six-year hiatus.
2004: Retirement of Da Bull
In 2004, the mascot Da Bull was retired soon after the incident when the man who portrayed Da Bull was arrested for possession and selling marijuana from his car.
2005: Curry's trade to the New York Knicks
In the 2005 off-season, Eddy Curry’s heart condition raised concerns, leading to his trade to the New York Knicks in exchange for Michael Sweetney, Tim Thomas and future draft picks. The Bulls finished 41–41, and qualified for the playoffs but were defeated by the Miami Heat.
2005: End of Modified Black Uniforms
The Bulls wore slightly modified black uniforms without pinstripes until the 2005-06 seasons.
2006: 'Running of the Bulls' Video Updated
In 2006, the 'Running of the Bulls' video was updated with more realistic Bulls, showing the Bulls smashing a bus of the other teams logo as they arrive to the United Center.
2006: Tommy Edwards Returns as Announcer
In 2006, the Bulls announced the return of Tommy Edwards as the announcer.
2006: Alternate Uniform Change
In 2006, the Bulls' black alternate uniform was changed, resembling the red and white uniform with a red diamond in the shorts.
2006: Bulls' Draft and Signing in 2006
In the 2006 NBA Draft, the Bulls traded for Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha and signed Ben Wallace. Chicago finished the season with a 49–33 record and swept the defending champion Miami Heat in the playoffs.
2007: Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Detroit Pistons
In 2007, the rivalry between the Bulls and Pistons was renewed in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, featuring Ben Wallace facing his former team. Detroit won in 6 games.
2007: Bulls' Off-season and Coaching Changes in 2007
The 2007 off-season brought trade speculation, but none materialized. The Bulls began the 2007–08 season poorly, leading to the dismissal of coach Scott Skiles. Vinny Del Negro was hired as the new head coach following the season.
June 26, 2008: Bulls Draft Derrick Rose #1 Overall
On June 26, 2008, the Chicago Bulls drafted Chicago native Derrick Rose from the University of Memphis as the number 1 draft pick in the NBA.
2008: 2008 Chicago Bulls Roster Transformations
Between 2004 and 2008, the Chicago Bulls underwent notable roster transformations and fluctuating on-court results in their efforts to rebuild as a competitive team.
2008: Bulls Pick Derrick Rose
In 2008, the Chicago Bulls picked Derrick Rose, turning Chicago from a lottery team to a future contender and intensifying their rivalry with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
February 2009: Bulls Roster Strengthening
In February 2009, the Bulls made trades to acquire Brad Miller and John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings, and a first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder. These moves helped the team secure a playoff spot.
2009: Bulls Wear White Shoes and Socks in Game 3
During the 2009 playoffs, the Bulls broke the black shoe tradition when all of their players wore white shoes and socks in Game 3 of the first round against the Boston Celtics.
2009: Bulls traded Weems to the Denver Nuggets
In 2008, The Chicago Bulls traded Sonny Weems to the Denver Nuggets for Denver's 2009 regular second-round draft pick.
2009: Bulls Selected James Johnson and Taj Gibson
In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Bulls selected James Johnson and Taj Gibson. They also lost Ben Gordon to the Detroit Pistons in free agency.
2009: Spanish Language Game Coverage
Since the 2009–10 season, Univision Radio's WRTO (1200) has carried Spanish language game coverage, with Omar Ramos as play-by-play announcer and Matt Moreno as color analyst.
May 2010: Vinny Del Negro Fired
In May 2010, the Chicago Bulls fired head coach Vinny Del Negro.
June 2010: Tom Thibodeau hired as head coach
In June 2010, Tom Thibodeau accepted a three-year contract to become the Bulls' head coach. The Bulls later signed Carlos Boozer and traded Kirk Hinrich to create cap space. They also signed Kyle Korver and Turkish All-Star Ömer Aşık.
2010: Promising Seasons Led by Rose and Noah
In 2010, the Chicago Bulls had a promising season led by Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, achieving above .732.
2011: Bulls Acquire Nikola Mirotić via Draft-Day Trade
During the 2014 off-season, Nikola Mirotić, a EuroLeague talent, was brought over to the Chicago Bulls, acquired via a 2011 draft-day trade.
2011: Derrick Rose Wins MVP, Bulls Reach Eastern Conference Finals
In 2011, Derrick Rose earned the NBA MVP Award, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to win it, the first since Michael Jordan. Chicago finished the regular season with a league-best 62–20 record, clinching the first seed. The Bulls reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1998 but lost to the Miami Heat.
2011: Bulls Draft Jimmy Butler and Extend Derrick Rose’s Contract
In 2011, the Bulls selected Jimmy Butler with the 30th overall pick in the NBA draft. They also signed Rip Hamilton and extended Derrick Rose’s contract for five years at $94.8 million. Rose and Luol Deng earned All-Star selections during the 2011–12 season. Despite injuries to Rose, the Bulls secured the Eastern Conference's top seed.
2011: Promising Seasons Led by Rose and Noah
In 2011, the Chicago Bulls had a promising season led by Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, achieving above .732.
June 13, 2012: Practice Facility Move Announced
On June 13, 2012, the Chicago Bulls announced that it would move its practice facility to a downtown location closer to the United Center to reduce game day commutes.
2012: Bulls Snap Winning Streaks Despite Rose's Absence
During the 2012–13 season, despite Derrick Rose missing the entire season, the Bulls finished 45–37 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. They ended Miami's 27-game winning streak and the New York Knicks' 13-game winning streak, becoming the second team in NBA history to snap two winning streaks of 13 games or more in a single season.
2012: Throwback Uniform Revival
In the 2012–13 season, the Bulls revived the black uniform with red pinstripes from the 1995-96 season as throwback uniforms.
March 27, 2013: Bulls Snap Heat's Winning Streak
On March 27, 2013, the Chicago Bulls ended the Miami Heat's 27-game winning streak.
2013: Detroit Red Wings Move
In 2013, the Detroit Red Wings moved to the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, ending the shared division alignment between Chicago and Detroit in all four major North American sports.
2013: Rose Injured, Deng Traded, Noah Honored
In the 2013–14 season, Derrick Rose sustained another significant injury, sidelining him. The Bulls traded Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Joakim Noah earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
September 12, 2014: Opening of Advocate Center
On September 12, 2014, the Bulls officially opened their new training facility, the Advocate Center (named after the Advocate Medical Group), a block east of the United Center.
2014: Roster changes and injury challenges
Between 2011–2014, the Chicago Bulls faced significant roster changes and injuries to star players while attempting to remain competitive.
2014: Bulls Acquire Doug McDermott, Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotić
During the 2014 off-season, the Bulls traded for Doug McDermott, added Cameron Bairstow, and signed Pau Gasol. The team also brought over Nikola Mirotić and re-signed Kirk Hinrich.
2014: 'Running of the Bulls' Video Updated
In 2014, the most recent version of the 'Running of the Bulls' intro debuted, which removed the Bull on top of United Center as well as the bus, but showed more realistic Bulls, as well as humans, with live-action filming used for the first time throughout the city of Chicago.
2014: Uniforms Tweaked
In 2014, the uniforms were tweaked to include sleeves and a modernized diamond treatment in black with red and white borders.
2014: Bulls Considered Top Contenders with Rose and Gasol
In the 2014–15 season, the Chicago Bulls were considered top contenders in the Eastern Conference with the return of Derrick Rose and the addition of Pau Gasol.
2014: Acquisition of Michael Carter-Williams
In the 2016 off-season, the Chicago Bulls acquired Michael Carter-Williams, who was the 2014 Rookie of the Year, in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks.
May 28, 2015: Tom Thibodeau Fired, Fred Hoiberg Hired
On May 28, 2015, the Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau to seek a "change in approach." Fred Hoiberg was named the new head coach.
October 2015: Radio Broadcast Deal with Cumulus Media
Starting in October 2015, the Chicago Bulls' games were carried on Cumulus Media's WLS (890) under a deal.
2015: Golden State Warriors broke Bulls' record
In 2015, the Golden State Warriors won 73 games during the 2015-16 season, breaking the NBA record previously set by the Chicago Bulls.
2015: Bulls Start Strong, Struggle, Miss Playoffs
In the 2015–16 season, the Bulls started strong but struggled through the middle of the season and Jimmy Butler was sidelined for four weeks due to a knee injury. The Bulls finished with a 42–40 record but were eliminated from playoff contention.
2015: Throwback Uniform Revival
The Chicago Bulls' uniform set from the 1970s was later revived as a throwback uniform during the 2015–16 season.
June 22, 2016: Bulls Trade Derrick Rose to Knicks
On June 22, 2016, the Bulls traded Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, and a 2017 second-round pick to the New York Knicks for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and José Calderón.
2016: Contract with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Lapsed
In 2016, Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz, who co-owned the United Center with Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, let the contract with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus lapse after the circus' 2016 run.
2016: On-Court Projection Replaces Lasers and Fireworks
In 2016, the Bulls ended the use of lasers and fireworks on court and replaced them with an on-court projection, also showing Bulls, which temporality replaced the second half of the Running of the Bulls video.
June 2017: Bulls Trade Jimmy Butler and waive Rajon Rondo
In June 2017, the Chicago Bulls traded Jimmy Butler and their 2017 first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and a pick used to select Lauri Markkanen. They also waived Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Canaan.
October 17, 2017: Fight Between Portis and Mirotić
On October 17, 2017, a fight broke out between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotić during practice, resulting in injuries and a suspension. Portis punched Mirotić in the face, causing a concussion and facial fractures.
2017: Introduction of City Uniforms
In 2017, the Bulls' "City" uniforms, introduced by Nike, pay homage to Chicago’s flag, architecture, and cultural symbols. These uniforms have evolved each season.
2017: Radio Broadcast Deal Nullified
In 2017, the Chicago Bulls' radio broadcast deal with Cumulus Media's WLS (890) was nullified after Cumulus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
2017: Bulls trade Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday
On June 22, 2016, the Bulls traded Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, and a 2017 second-round pick to the New York Knicks
2017: Nike Statement Uniform
Since the 2017-18 season, the Bulls' black uniforms remained mostly untouched except for the new Nike logo, which affected the shoulder piping. Nike dubbed this uniform as the "Statement" uniform, used in away games after Thanksgiving against teams in white, gray/silver, or cream uniforms.
2017: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Discontinued
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was discontinued in 2017.
2017: Nike Becomes NBA Uniform Provider
When Nike became the NBA's uniform provider in 2017, the Bulls kept much of the same look save for the truncated shoulder striping and the addition of the Chicago four stars on the waistline.
January 2018: Radio Broadcast Deal Nullified
In January 2018, the Chicago Bulls' radio broadcast deal with Cumulus Media's WLS (890) was nullified after Cumulus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
February 3, 2018: Radio Broadcast Change
As of February 3, 2018, the Chicago Bulls' games began broadcasting on Entercom's WSCR (670).
February 2018: Mirotić traded to Pelicans
Due to the fight between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotić on October 17, 2017, Mirotić was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in February 2018 for a first-round draft pick and Ömer Aşık, Tony Allen, and Jameer Nelson.
February 2018: Disney on Ice Condensed
Effective February 2018, the formerly two-week local run of Feld Entertainment's Disney on Ice was condensed to a week-long period.
2018: Exclusive Deal with NBC Sports Chicago
In 2018, the Bulls agreed to an exclusive multi-year deal with NBC Sports Chicago, ending the team's broadcasts on WGN-TV following the 2018–19 season.
2018: Bulls Draft Wendell Carter Jr., Chandler Hutchison, and Re-sign Zach LaVine
In 2018, the Bulls drafted Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchison, and re-signed Zach LaVine to a four-year, $78 million deal. They also signed Jabari Parker.
2018: Projection Dropped, Video Second Half Added Back
In 2018, the Bulls dropped the on-court projection and added back in the second half of the 'Running of the Bulls' video.
January 2, 2019: Exclusive Deal with NBC Sports Chicago
On January 2, 2019, the Bulls agreed to an exclusive multi-year deal with NBC Sports Chicago, ending the team's broadcasts on WGN-TV following the 2018–19 season.
February 2019: Portis and Parker Traded for Otto Porter
In February 2019, Bobby Portis, Jabari Parker, and a second-round pick were traded for Otto Porter.
2019: Bulls Draft Coby White and sign Veterans
In 2019, the Bulls selected Coby White and signed veterans Tomáš Satoranský and Thaddeus Young.
2019: Return of Pinstripes
In 2019, the Bulls' "Statement" uniform saw the return of pinstripes in dark gray. The diamond treatment returned to red, piping was tweaked, and four six-point stars were featured on the beltline. This "Statement" uniform was worn in select home games and away games against teams wearing white, cream, yellow, red, or silver uniforms.
2019: 'Running of the Bulls' Video Readjusted
In 2019, the bus was added back to the 'Running of the Bulls' video, as well as a readjusting of the video to fill up the new United Center scoreboard. The Bulls also added back lasers and multiple spotlights on court, with a part of the intro meant to resemble the court during the Bulls intros of the 90s.
2020: Karnišovas and Eversley Hired, Donovan Becomes Coach
In 2020, Artūras Karnišovas became the Bulls' executive vice president, Marc Eversley was hired as general manager, Jim Boylen was fired, and Billy Donovan became head coach. The Bulls drafted Patrick Williams.
2020: Tim Sinclair replaces Tommy Edwards as Announcer
In 2020, Tim Sinclair replaced Tommy Edwards as the announcer for the Chicago Bulls.
2020: Release of The Last Dance Documentary
In 2020, the Chicago Bulls received significant media coverage following the release of The Last Dance, a critically acclaimed ESPN and Netflix documentary miniseries that chronicled Michael Jordan's career with the Bulls, focusing on the 1997–98 championship season.
2020: Bulls finish the 2020-21 season
In March 2021, the Bulls traded for Nikola Vučević and Al-Farouq Aminu, sending Wendell Carter Jr, Otto Porter and draft picks to Orlando. In the 2020-21 season the Bulls finished with a 31-41 record, missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
2020: Icon Uniforms
The Bulls continued to wear red "Icon" uniforms in home games until the 2020–21 season.
March 2021: Bulls Trade for Vučević and Aminu
In March 2021, the Bulls traded for Nikola Vučević and Al-Farouq Aminu, sending Wendell Carter Jr, Otto Porter and draft picks to Orlando.
2021: Bulls Acquire Ball, Caruso, and DeRozan
In the 2021 off-season, the Chicago Bulls selected Ayo Dosunmu, traded for Lonzo Ball, signed Alex Caruso, and received DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs.
2021: Association Uniforms
In the 2021-22 season, the Bulls returned to wearing the white "Association" uniforms in home games.
January 2022: Bulls Reach Top Seed, DeRozan Shines
In January 2022, the Bulls made it to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. DeMar DeRozan’s performance, including buzzer-beater three-pointers, briefly captured the spotlight. However, they struggled after Lonzo Ball's injury.
2022: Bulls Re-sign LaVine and Draft Terry
In the 2022 off-season, the Bulls re-signed LaVine to a five-year, $215.2 million contract and selected Dalen Terry in the draft. They also signed Patrick Beverley mid-season. The Bulls finished 40–42 and earned a spot in the play-in tournament, where they were eliminated by the Miami Heat.
2023: Bulls Leave NBC Sports Chicago
In 2023, The Bulls left NBC Sports Chicago at the end of the 2023–2024 season.
2023: Eastern Conference Play-in Game vs. Miami Heat
In 2023, the Bulls and Heat met in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, with the Heat winning to advance to the playoffs. The game featured Jimmy Butler on the Heat facing his former team, and DeMar DeRozan playing against Kyle Lowry.
2023: Bulls Draft Philips, Re-sign Vucevic and White
The 2023 off-season saw the Bulls trade for the 35th pick in the draft and select Julian Philips, while also re-signing Vucevic and Coby White. The Bulls finished with a 39–43 record and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
January 12, 2024: Introduction of Ring of Honor
On January 12, 2024, the Bulls introduced the Ring of Honor, which honors former players and other personnel.
2024: Television Broadcasts on Chicago Sports Network
As of the 2024–2025 season, the Bulls' television broadcasts are televised by Chicago Sports Network for all games not televised nationally.
2024: Move to Chicago Sports Network
In 2024, The Bulls moved to the new Chicago Sports Network at the end of the 2023–2024 season.
February 2, 2025: Bulls Trade Zach LaVine
On February 2, 2025, the Chicago Bulls traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings for Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter and their own 2025 first round pick from San Antonio Spurs.
September 12, 2025: Ring of Honor Inductees Announced
On September 12, 2025, the Bulls announced 6 more members to the Ring of Honor - Johnny Bach, Cartwright, Neil Funk, Grant, Paxson and Van Lier.
2025: Statement Uniform Tweaked
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, the Bulls' black "Statement" uniform was tweaked to feature red pinstripes and modified striping.
2025: Television Broadcasts on Chicago Sports Network
As of the 2024–2025 season, the Bulls' television broadcasts are televised by Chicago Sports Network for all games not televised nationally.
February 5, 2026: Roster Update
The Chicago Bulls roster was updated on February 5, 2026.
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