Industry News

Report: Jon Marks Booted from CBS Sports Radio Gig by Audacy Brass

Former WIP, Philadelphia afternoon drive sports talk host Jon Marks – who left his daily gig with the Audacy station for personal reasons but planned to continue his weekend work with CBS Sports Radio Network – was ousted from the CBS gig after appearing on a talk show with Crossing Broad’s Kevinim Kinkead and talking about Audacy’s impending bankruptcy. Kinkead reports that Audacy executives weren’t happy with Marks broaching the subject and consequently fired him from the CBS Sports Radio position. Marks told Kinkead, “I am no longer doing CBS Sports Radio because I was terminated by the company following the interview with you…. I wanted to be honest and candid about it. I didn’t rip the company. I wasn’t killing the company. I was very fair and spoke very highly of everybody that worked at WIP, and I wasn’t blaming Audacy (like) it was their fault, I was just talking about the financials of being in the radio business today…” Read the Crossing Broad piece here.

Industry News

Spike Eskin to Return to Philly as WIP PM Drive Co-Host

Audacy announces that Spike Eskin will return to sports talk WIP-FM, Philadelphia “SportsRadio 94WIP” as afternoon drive co-host alongside Ike Reese and on-air producer Jack Fritz. Eskin will leave his current position as vice president of programming for WFAN, New York and CBS Sports Radio andim re-join WIP once a successor is named. Audacy says a nationwide search is currently underway. The WIP co-host position opened after Jon Marks announced his exit from the station for personal reasons in December. Audacy Philadelphia SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “We’re very excited to bring Spike home to Philadelphia and SportsRadio 94WIP. This is a unique opportunity to add a great talent with a long history in our marketplace to one of our most popular dayparts, and we’re looking forward to having Spike reunite with his longtime friend and colleague Ike Reese and Jack Fritz to shape the future of afternoon drive at WIP.” Eskin comments, “I am thrilled to be able to work with Ike and Jack in afternoons at 94WIP. It’s now the third job of a lifetime I’ve had the opportunity to do. Leaving WFAN and CBS Sports Radio is an incredibly difficult decision. I’m surrounded by talented, great people, and it’s been an amazing experience. I’d like to thank David Yadgaroff, Jeff Sottolano and Rod Lakin for this opportunity, and Chris Oliviero for my time in New York.”

Industry News

Jon Marks Announces Exit from WIP-FM, Philadelphia

As reported by Kevin Kinkead at Crossing Broad, afternoon personality Jon Marks told listeners on Monday (12/18) that he is leaving the program he co-hosts with Ike Reese after Wednesday’s show for personal reasons. He said, in part, “I mentioned this a couple of times here, over the last year plus, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my future here at WIP. These are conversations I’ve had withim management, with Rod Lakin and David Yadgaroff, even with you. ‘The Marks and Reese Show’ is amazing, the success that we’ve had, over 6 years now that we’ve been working together, I’ve been at WIP almost 7 years, and what we’ve done in 6 years, the community that we’ve made, the show that we’ve made has been nothing short of amazing… And as great as the show is, everything kept coming back to the hours that I’m working. I don’t work until 10 or midnight, but I’m not getting home on most nights until 7:30. As my kids get older, I’m missing all these activities – softball, soccer, basketball, even dinner every night. Since my kids have been alive, I’ve been working this shift. And I had to ask myself ‘is this something I could see myself doing for the next five years?’ The station and show deserve the commitment from somebody. It was a difficult decision and something I internally wrestled with for a really long time. And after talking to management and talking with you, and (management was amenable and asked what they could do)… I made the difficult decision to leave the Marks and Reese Show and WIP. My last show is Wednesday. It’s a very difficult decision.” Read the Crossing Broad column here.

Industry News

WIP, Philadelphia Partners with Travis Manion Foundation for Live Event

As part of its “Birds at the Bye,” Audacy Philadelphia’s sports talk WIP-FM “SportsRadio 94WIP” air personalities are serving as guest bartenders following a daylong remote broadcast from Chickie’s and Pete’s South Philadelphia location during which it will raise money for Travis Manion Foundation.im Audacy SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “It’s a great night in support of our local veterans. Audacy Philadelphia has a strong partnership with TMF, and we’re excited for our 94WIP hosts to assist in this fundraising effort.” 94WIP guest bartenders include Joe DeCamara, Rhea Hughes, James Seltzer, Hugh Douglas, Joe Giglio, Ike Reese, Jon Marks, Jack Fritz, Howard Eskin, Devan Kaney and Eliot Shorr Parks. Also, in attendance will be Ryan Manion and Col. Manion of Travis Manion Foundation.