Earlier today, Philadelphia sports radio legend Howard Eskin announced that he is leaving SportsRadio 94WIP in Philadelphia after 38 years with the station. Eskin helped launch WIP into the sports talk format in 1986 appearing as its first voice. He then moved over with the station to the 94.1 FM frequency in 2011. In recent years, he hosted a Saturday morning show for the outlet. He was also the sideline reporter for Philadelphia Eagles football broadcasts.
In his social media post, Eskin said, “After 38 years I am moving on from Sportsradio WIP where I launched the station’s sports talk franchise in 1986. I leave the station with great affection for the listeners who have made the work I do so fulfilling during my time there. I’m looking forward to what comes next career-wise. I promise you’ll be the first to know. Thank you.”
When asked for comment on the situation, an Audacy spokesperson shared a statement with Barrett Media that said, “WIP and Howard Eskin have parted ways. We thank Howard for his years of contributions to WIP.”
In a conversation with Barrett Media, Eskin revealed that he and WIP did not see eye to eye on different things and were unable to resolve “irreconcilable differences.” Upon being unsuccessful in reaching a resolution, Eskin expressed that he was let go from the station. Even though he is disappointed he will not be able to finish the Eagles season on the sidelines, Eskin looks back on his time covering the team fondly and hopes to use the knowledge elsewhere.
“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished – ironically, I basically created that station and doing the first sports talk show there back in 1986, but that’s alright,” Eskin said. “We all kind of move forward and made it better and did what they did, but I feel proud that I was there to start the ball rolling.”
Eskin recalled that former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins told him that change was important in the pursuit of success, and he reiterated that he was right. Moreover, he stated that there are other opportunities in the industry for him and he needs to decide what he wants to do moving forward.
“I still have passion,” Eskin said. “I’m not tired of doing what I do. I have the passion, I feel great about doing it. You know when you should move on. Well, I know my passion is still there, and I enjoy so much the passion in doing what I do, and with that, it makes me feel good about further opportunities coming up.”
Throughout his time working in sports media, Eskin has been present for many pivotal moments in Philadelphia sports history, including covering the Philadelphia Eagles victory in Super Bowl LIII. Eskin was a fixture in the afternoon drive daypart from 3 to 7 p.m. EST for over two decades and hosted approximately 6,000 shows in the window. In addition to his responsibilities hosting on SportsRadio 94WIP, Eskin helped launch FOX29 News Philadelphia and also worked with CBS Philadelphia as well.
Eskin’s son, Spike, was formerly the program director of the station and now hosts in afternoon drive alongside Ike Reese and Jack Fritz. To begin Friday’s edition of the program, Spike addressed his father’s departure from the station.
“I love my dad, and I am incredibly proud and I think – what’s the word I’m looking for?,” Eskin said. “Without him, first of all WIP is not where it is today, but specifically for me, I would not be here. Now look, I’m way better than he ever was, but without him, none of this happens, and without the institutional knowledge I have growing up around him, all of those things, and the things that he gave the station, gave to me, I am very thankful for.”
Spike Eskin expressed that he never thought there would be a day when he would say that his father, Howard, was no longer hosting on the station. In fact, he thought he was going to outlast everyone on the station, and that him not being present is something he ever expected.
“I guess the final thing is is that while I’m proud of him and I’m not happy that he’s not here anymore, I personally am incredibly happy where I am at WIP, who I work with with Ike and Jack, with Rod, with my infrastructure here,” Eskin said, “so I am here, and that has nothing to do with him not being here anymore.”
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