WFAN host Boomer Esiason has been keeping listeners entertained in morning drive on New York City’s top sports radio station since September of 2007, and he continues to enjoy the work he’s doing with co-host Gregg Giannotti. Over the years, his passion for broadcasting has only grown stronger. The former NFL signal caller recently joined The Jim Rome Podcast for an in-depth discussion about his career, tracing his journey from professional athlete to professional broadcaster.
Reflecting on his time with WFAN and his experiences in radio broadcasting, Esiason emphasizes that the ever-changing nature of the industry keeps his role exciting. He explains that the unpredictability of each day is what makes hosting the top morning drive sports program in the country so enjoyable.
“We’re not scripted here in New York. I’ve worked with two unbelievable partners,” said Esiason. “Craig Carton first taught me a lot about radio. I never had a bad day with him in the studio for ten years.”
Esiason then recalled the shocking morning when Carton was arrested by the FBI for his role in an alleged ticket scam to pay off gambling debts. Carton ultimately served a third of a 42-month prison sentence. Looking back, Esiason admits that was an incredibly difficult day to be on the radio. However, he remains grateful for the turn of events that eventually led to his current partnership with Giannotti.
“He’s also a Long Islander like I am,” explained Esiason. “We have a lot of similarities. He is 22 or 23 years younger than I am, so he brings a fresh perspective. If you can call a 40-year-old a fresh perspective. It’s just the uncertainty of every day walking in that studio. I can say, over 18 years at WFAN in New York on CBS Sports Network, I’ve never had a bad day in that studio.”
In addition to praising his co-host, Esiason also expressed deep appreciation for the entire production staff. He emphasized that he has never been in an argument with anyone over anything, adding that there is a shared understanding among the team that they are going to have a great day. That camaraderie, he noted, has been a key factor in his long-term success.
At first, however, it took some time for him to get comfortable replacing Don Imus on the station with Carton as his co-host. This was largely due to the contrast in their content styles. While Carton had a more theatrical approach, Esiason needed time to adjust and find his rhythm.
“It took me about six to eight weeks back when we started in 2007 replacing Don Imus exactly what he (Carton) was doing,” explained Esiason. “I realized about eight weeks into it that he was doing entertainment. This was his stand-up routine. Once I figured that out, it was smooth sailing where I could play off of him, and he could play off of me.”
He further emphasized that having chemistry with a co-host is crucial for creating engaging content. In his case, he was fortunate to work with Carton, which he considers a turning point in his career. Today, he remains thankful to still be part of a top-tier production team, with Giannotti as his trusted co-host.
“I was an athlete coming into a medium that I knew all about. I was a part of it, but never as a host,” said Esiason. “I had to learn pretty quickly on the fly, and we had great synergy. I still have that with all the guys I still work with.”’
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