Romeoville Mayor John Noak's request for air time equal to that given to his political opponent prompted ESPN to pull the plug on former Chicago Bear Steve "Mongo" McMichael's WMVP-AM 1000 radio show, a published report says.

McMichael, who does pregame analysis before Bears games, was told last week that he wouldn't be allowed on the air to discuss Sunday's Bears-Detroit Lions game because he is seeking election to be Romeoville mayor, according to a story in the Chicago Tribune.

The issue of equal time was raised by Noak after McMichael filed his petition to run in the April 9 election for mayor on Dec. 26, the story said. Noak's attorney didn't ask for McMichael to be taken off the air but that Noak be provided the same amount of radio time, per federal law.

"Once Steve officially filed to run for mayor we decided it was appropriate to not have him appear on our air," station owner ESPN told the Tribune.