After a heated debate surrounding New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux on WFAN’s midday show last week, former Giants linebacker and current radio color commentator Carl Banks has resigned from his weekly guest appearance. Banks, who was scheduled to appear on The Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata Show in middays weekly during the football season, defended the Giants second-year linebacker and criticized the hosts for trying to find flaws with players. Licata then deemed he had heard enough and brashly ended the conversation. WFAN management reportedly tried to smooth things over with Banks, but he was resolute in his decision.
While on the air for their program on Wednesday, Licata addressed the matter and acknowledged that he apologized both on the air and to Banks directly regarding the incident. Although he said that he was okay, he decided against returning for the weekly spot. Tierney has known Banks for over a decade and also spoke to him during the week.
“Things are going to happen in this medium when you bring a lot of passion to a topic, as certainly we did that day and hopefully every day, and Carl did that day,” Tierney said. “When things go awry, as they sometimes do, you’ve got to own it, and I think we did, and I think Carl did as well.”
Spike Eskin, vice president of programming at WFAN and CBS Sports Radio, addressed the incident on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday morning. He explained that he is proud of the job Tierney and Licata are doing in middays and understood the circumstances that can come out of sports radio.
“Sometimes on the station, we will argue *very* passionately about sports,” Eskin said. “It’s not for everyone. That’s totally fine. As a co-worker used to say to me, that’s showbiz!”
Carl Banks continues calling Giants games on the station with play-by-play announcer Bob Papa, a role he has had since the 2007 season. Through his role, he has had the opportunity to be on the call for two Super Bowl championships and countless memorable moments.
