It's official. Rafer Weigel will become the new weekend sports anchor and reporter at top-rated WLS-Channel 7, effective March 21. He replaces Ryan Chiaverini who was recently named co-host of Channel 7's new live morning show "Windy City Live."

Rafer Weigel, 41, is the son of the late Tim Weigel, who was a TV sports anchor and reporter and newspaper sports writer for many years in Chicago. Tim Weigel spent 17 years as a sports anchor and reporter at Channel 7.

WLS news director Jennifer Graves called Rafer Weigel a "talented broadcaster who has worked hard to earn his stripes." She also said Weigel "loves this city and has never lost his passion for following Chicago sports teams."

Most recently, Weigel was a sports anchor on CNN HLN in 2008.