Spike Eskin, who is currently employed by Audacy as the vice president of programming for WFAN and CBS Sports Radio, is leaving his position to return to Philadelphia as co-host of afternoon drive on SportsRadio 94WIP. The announcement was made this morning by the company and revealed live on the air during the midday program with Hugh Douglas and Joe Giglio. Eskin, who previously served as program director of the entity, is officially making the move back to the city and will begin on the program once his business in New York is completed.
To begin the segment revealing the news, the WIP midday show played “Who Can It Be Now?” by Men at Work before discussing what the segment was about. Jon Giglio then explained that he and Douglas learned of the news 40 minutes prior and had no idea about the nature of the announcement. Entrusting the midday show with the news, Giglio relayed the information that Eskin will join Ike Reese and Jack Fritz in afternoon drive at a date to be determined.
“It’s going to be a great show; I can’t wait for it,” Giglio said on Wednesday’s edition of the midday program. “Spike coming back to WIP.”
Eskin previously served as brand manager of the outlet after hosting for several years and starting out as a social media manager. He was the co-host of the Josh Innes Show on WIP for three years and has also had on-air roles at WYSP and Q101 WKQX Chicago. Moreover, Eskin continues to host The Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast centered on the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
“I’ve had a chance to speak to Spike a few times,” Douglas said. “[I] haven’t really had a chance to work with him. It was funny because when I was telling the boss, [brand manager] Rod Lakin, about my interaction with Spike, he immediately thought it was because I was in trouble or something. No, [I] haven’t been in trouble with Spike; just talking periodically throughout the years and just keeping in touch and things of that nature.”
Eskin moves into the slot following the departure of Jon Marks from the station in December. Marks is interested in working in sports media again upon the expiration of a non-compete clause in his contract, he told Barrett Sports Media in a recent interview. The show is now set to utilize three co-hosts, moving Fritz into the role after he had produced the program for several years.
“It’s kind of just crazy,” Giglio explained. “My head is spinning because part of the reason I’m here is because of Spike. Part of the reason that Jack is here is because of Spike, and I know obviously Ike became what he became at this station during Spike’s time here, so now we get to have Spike back in a different role.”
The WIP lineup has experienced considerable change over the last several years precipitated by the retirement of Angelo Cataldi from morning drive. After stepping aside following the Super Bowl last February, midday hosts Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie were moved into morning drive. Middays were filled by Douglas and Giglio as a result of the change while the afternoon time slot continued with Ike Reese and Jon Marks, the latter of whom left the station in December. Eskin will now make his return to the outlet to join the afternoon show with Reese and new co-host Fritz to bring Philadelphia sports fans a compelling local program centered around their favorite teams.
“I’m excited to see what this becomes,” Giglio said. “I can’t wait to listen to those guys – Ike and Jack and Spike – they will start their show together very soon, [and I] cannot wait for it.”
