Will Time Heal All Wounds in the Curtis Sliwa vs 77 WABC Saga?

Can Curtis Sliwa actually return to 77 WABC after saying he’d never be back? It’s a question that feels both unlikely and entirely possible in the same breath.

Time, they say, heals all wounds — but does it also repair bruised egos, burned bridges, and bitter departures? If you listen to John Catsimatidis, it just might.

The 77 WABC owner has made it sound like the past is the past, and that bygones might indeed be bygones when it comes to Sliwa on Wednesday morning. Catsimatidis said that he loves Curtis, and he’s “family.” And while he doesn’t make the programming decisions at the station, he does sign the checks. He certainly didn’t slam the door shut.

That kind of open-ended answer leaves plenty of room for speculation — and for a personality as unpredictable as Curtis Sliwa, that’s where things get interesting.

Sliwa’s relationship with WABC has always been colorful. He’s been fired, rehired, and feuded with co-hosts and management alike. The station is where he made his mark as one of the most recognizable talk radio voices in New York City. His mix of storytelling, political passion, and over-the-top charisma helped make him a legend. And like many legends, he’s had just as many controversies as triumphs.

When he said he’d never return to WABC, few doubted he meant it. Curtis Sliwa has always been a man of conviction. But convictions can soften with time, and circumstances can shift. After his unsuccessful run for New York City mayor, Sliwa has found himself in a different position. He still commands attention wherever he goes, but if he wants a platform to reach the city again on a daily basis, there’s no bigger microphone than WABC’s.

The question is whether he wants that microphone back — or whether he’s willing to share it on someone else’s terms. For all of Catsimatidis’ goodwill, Sliwa’s pride has always been part of the package. He’s not someone who quietly reintegrates himself into a brand he once walked away from. If there’s going to be a reunion, it won’t come without conditions.

Sid Rosenberg, one of WABC’s current stars, made that clear earlier this week. He told me he wouldn’t bet on a Sliwa return. Rosenberg knows firsthand how complicated station politics can be. He’s lived it. And when he says something like that, it carries weight — not because he’s trying to stir the pot, but because he keenly understands the personalities involved.

Catsimatidis’ openness gives this story legs. He could have easily dismissed the idea. He could have laughed it off, saying that Sliwa went too far in his criticism of Catsimatidis, the station, and its personalities.

Instead, he left the door cracked open. That might not mean an immediate offer, but it does mean that conversations could happen down the road—especially if Sliwa’s appetite for airtime grows stronger.

It’s worth noting that Curtis Sliwa wouldn’t exactly struggle to find a new radio home. His name still means something. In New York, where personality-driven radio still matters, there are plenty of stations that would at least take a meeting. He’s proven he can generate headlines, engage audiences, and still has a loyal fanbase. But 77 WABC is his natural habitat. It’s the station where he became Curtis Sliwa, not just a Guardian Angel or political figure, but a true talk radio force.

If he’s ever going to return to daily radio, 77 WABC feels like the most poetic — and practical — fit. But that doesn’t make it easy. Trust is tough to rebuild in any business, but in radio, where egos and emotions often drive decisions, it’s even harder.

So, can time heal this particular wound? John Catsimatidis seems ready to forgive and forget. The real question is whether Curtis Sliwa can. If he can let go of the past — and if WABC is willing to let him be, well, Curtis — then maybe this story isn’t finished.

Maybe, just maybe, there’s one more chapter left for Sliwa and 77 WABC.

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Garrett Searight

Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.