ESPN is preparing to sell 98.7 FM in New York City. It appears finding a new boss will be at the top of the new owners’ to-do list. Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reports that Tim McCarthy will leave the company at the end of the month.
Over the summer, Marchand reported that Good Karma Brands was in discussions to take over ESPN’s O&O stations in New York and LA.
“While it is bittersweet to say goodbye, I am excited and ready to begin a new chapter,” McCarthy told his staff in an email. “The adventure continues! I am certain that our paths will cross again.”
“While the sale is not finalized, when it is, ESPN, in Bristol, will still be responsible for programming, while Good Karma handles sales and marketing,” Marchand wrote in his new report. “ESPN already has a similar relationship with its station in Chicago.”
New York sports radio is often seen as a battle between WFAN and ESPN New York. WFAN has come out on top more often than not in the head to head ratings, but McCarthy previously told Jason Barrett that’s not how he’s measured ESPN New York’s success when the two spoke as part of BSM’s “Meet the Market Managers” series earlier this year.
“First, our biggest challenge is whether or not the radio is off. Next, our competitor isn’t WFAN. It’s any male brand that can take our audience away.”
McCarthy has been with Disney for more than 30 years. He’ spent the past 24 years in New York radio, managing ESPN New York and/or WABC.
ESPN isn’t in WFAN’s class.. never will be.