Things quickly went from rumors to confirmed on Thursday after Andrew Marchand reported that Craig Carton was leaving WFAN to make FS1 his sole professional endeavor. Friday morning on Boomer & Gio, it was revealed that the WFAN staff knew this was coming for a while.
Boomer Esiason described his former partner’s schedule as “burning the candle at both ends” as he tried to balance morning television and afternoon radio. He revealed that the moment Carton told him about the FS1 show, he questioned for how long Carton could keep up the schedule. He also said Audacy New York Market Manager Chris Oliviero knew Carton choosing TV over radio was a possibility.
“This was a huge opportunity for him, and as much as he loves WFAN, he had to take it,” Gregg Giannotti said. “I think all of us would probably have done the same thing as much as we love this place.”
The conversation then turned to what comes next for the radio station. Gio acknowledged that even if he and Boomer know more than what is being reported, they are not saying anything until the station is ready to make the announcement. All that is currently known is that Evan Roberts will remain in afternoon drive.
“How do you think Evan feels about all this?” Giannotti asked. “You think that he’s disappointed that Craig is leaving, or is he thinking like, ‘All right, now I get a chance, my name will be first!’?”
Tiki Barber and Jerry Ferrara have both been mentioned as potential replacements for Carton. Esiason tried combinations of their names with Roberts’s. He said that the name of the show will come down to what combination of the hosts’ names sound best. Giannotti disagreed.
‘No, Evan’s going to get, he should get, top billing.”
Esiason protested the idea that top billing exists. In his mind, the show’s name is the show’s name. He claims that he does not view himself as the star of Boomer & Gio. They are equals and that is the name of their show.
Gio said there is plenty of evidence that most people do not feel that way, particularly on the television simulcast of their show, which airs on CBS Sports Network. Their names are vastly different sizes on the network logo.
“Our little robot CBS Sports Network thing, I mean, you are in like this gigantic spaceship and I’m basically in an eggshell,” he said.
Gary Myers was the first to report that Tiki Barber will be the new afternoon co-host. The station has not commented. Ferrara took to Twitter on Friday morning saying that he will address the WFAN rumors soon.
