The Sports Radio Silence Is Louder Than the Criticism

This has been a busy week for former legends of sports radio brands. It’s also been a loud one. A week filled with shots taken at former homes, despite the success stories those same personalities still carry. Angelo Cataldi fired not once, but twice, at SportsRadio 94 WIP and some of its talent. Howard Eskin joined his former WIP teammate at the firing range. Joe Benigno followed suit, saying WFAN—where he still hosts a weekend program—will never be what it once was.

And on Wednesday, Kirk Minihane joined the chorus. He said he’s the last “game changing” talent WEEI has produced. That’s quite a statement, considering WEEI remains one of the more successful sports radio brands in the country—even while playing second fiddle to 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Yet as these criticisms have piled up, one thing has stood out even more than the comments themselves: silence. No meaningful pushback, strong rebuttals, or on-air responses. Sports radio, once again, takes the punches—and says nothing. Which raises a simple question: why? If there were ever a moment for sports radio to tell its story, this would be it.

Earlier this week, I wrote that legends who choose to criticize should also take responsibility for elevating the next generation. Legacy isn’t just about what you did behind the microphone. It’s also about how you represent the institution after you leave it.

Because let’s not forget—these same voices built their reputations by fighting.

From its earliest days, sports radio was treated like the ugly stepbrother of media. Dismissed. Overlooked. Laughed at in some circles. It was the outcast. The rebel. The little engine that could.

And yet, it kept pushing.

Because of figures like Cataldi, Eskin, Benigno, and Minihane, sports radio didn’t just survive—it carved out a powerful place in the industry. Today, it drives conversation, shapes narratives, and fuels entire ecosystems of content. Its DNA is embedded in sports debate television and some of the most successful podcasts in the world.

Without sports radio, do shows like Pardon My Take or New Heights even exist? Do athletes command the same level of attention and daily relevance? Everything starts somewhere. And sports radio started with people willing to challenge everything in front of them.

Which is why the current silence feels so out of place.

When today’s talent and brands are challenged—especially by their own alumni—the response is…nothing.

Again, why?

Are the current results really that fragile? Are WIP’s ratings outperforming what Cataldi delivered for three decades in mornings? Is WFAN’s reach bigger than it’s ever been? Even if the lineups look different, is the overall impact stronger?

At WEEI, maybe the ratings aren’t what they once were—but what about revenue, digital reach, and on-demand consumption? Those numbers matter, too. Let’s be honest: Nielsen doesn’t carry the same weight it once did. Some companies have already walked away from it and found success doing so.

So if the business is strong—and in many cases, stronger—why not say it?

For decades, sports radio thrived on confrontation. It didn’t shy away from criticism; it leaned into it. That edge is what built the format. That willingness to engage is what made it matter.

So if your own alumni are now the loudest critics, isn’t that exactly the moment to respond?

For all the conversations about “telling our story better,” there may not be a better opportunity than this one. This is the moment to highlight growth, point to audience expansion, and showcase revenue gains. To remind people just how influential the format has become.

Instead, there’s quiet. These weren’t random tweets thrown into the void. These were direct, intentional comments—spoken with clarity and context. And still, no real response.

Has sports radio lost its appetite for the fight?

Because this industry was never built on playing it safe. It didn’t grow by protecting feelings or avoiding headlines. It grew by challenging everything—teams, leagues, athletes, media peers, and even itself.

The same legends speaking out today didn’t build their reputations by staying quiet. They leaned into controversy, embraced the noise. They thrived in it. So why, when that same energy is directed inward, does everything suddenly go silent?

Have we reached a point where the strategy is simply to move on and hope the audience sorts it out?

Because if the product is stronger, the audience is larger, and the business is healthier than ever, then there’s nothing to hide from. Say it. Prove it. Own it.

This isn’t about disrespecting the past. It’s about defending the present and defining the future.

Because silence doesn’t protect the brand. It creates a vacuum—and in this business, someone will always fill it. Right now, that “someone” happens to be former voices with large platforms and strong opinions.

They’re shaping the narrative. That’s a dangerous place to be for a format that built its identity on controlling the conversation.

Sports radio has never been at its best when someone else is telling its story.

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John Mamola

John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.