WFAN’s rumored pairing of Craig Carton and Evan Roberts has had more than a few people in the industry scratching their head. Among them is SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio host Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo.
One of the former kingpins of afternoon drive alongside Mike Francesa on WFAN, Russo discussed the possibility of Carton and Roberts joining forces on his radio show.
“If you’re going to put Craig in a drive time situation, you have to give him an ex-athlete who can handle him,” said Russo. “They’re going to put Evan Roberts in a tricky spot if it’s him. Craig’s going to make it his show, and be goofy, which for radio you like that edge, but it doesn’t sound like they can get an ex-athlete. To put Craig with a conventional host, and this is just me talking from afar, I don’t think that makes much sense.”
Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported earlier this week that Carton was expected to sign soon with WFAN. Roberts was considered by many to be the favorite to team with Carton in afternoon drive as longtime partner Joe Benigno gets ready to wind down his radio career and pursue retirement while making occassional appearances on the station.
WFAN has not confirmed if this will indeed be the direction they pursue in afternoons, but with The Michael Kay Show on 98.7 ESPN NY delivering steady results thanks to strong talent and exceptional chemistry, putting Carton and Roberts together, two men with very different approaches to hosting a radio show, could be the best or worst move WFAN makes.
Carton should be banished to another city!