In media, your talent determines what you can do. Your determination determines how much you are willing to do. When FS1 decided to cancel three programs including Breakfast Ball earlier this summer, there were many questions with the roster of talent involved. One of those talents was Craig Carton. Who joined FOX Sports in 2022 following a very successful stint with New York City’s WFAN.
Following the cancellation of Breakfast Ball, Carton’s second program with the network. There were questions as to what his next steps would be. While there was much rumor and speculation, the end result for Carton was remaining with FOX for a one-hour podcast called The Craig Carton Show.
“FOX has been very good to me since I started working for them a few years ago,” said Carton. “This was an idea that started with FOX creatively a couple of months ago in their conversations with Red Seat Ventures. As Red Seat decided to dive into sports podcasts, I was the guy they wanted to launch that part of their business with.”
The new one-hour program showcases what helped Carton become a known commodity around the sports media landscape: a no-nonsense approach in delivering compelling original programming surrounding the biggest sports stories from around the country, and a signature energy with sharp insight while performing to the audience with an unfiltered perspective.
Crafting a New Program
Carton says he’s enjoying another opportunity to work with FOX Sports. While the latest television program didn’t have the runway he had hoped for, Carton says the conversations about continuing to do something with FOX happened pretty immediately.
“We talked pretty quickly about maintaining a working relationship and employment for FOX to have this opportunity to do the podcast,” said Carton. “I think it’s great that they came to me to let me know this was a potential opportunity.”
When Carton agreed to move ahead with the new venture, he says FOX Sports allowed him full carte blanche to do whatever type of program he would prefer. Carton enlisted the services of former 97.5 The Fanatic host Tyrone Johnson as a partner with the podcast. Providing another perspective from his passionate connection to the Philadelphia audience.
“Tyrone’s been a friend of mine for about 25 years,” said Carton. “I think he’s such a good broadcaster. He allows me to take a breath every once in a while … It’s great that he’s a Philly guy because of my relationship with the Philadelphia sports fan. He’s locked in and will be with me for as long as we’re doing the podcast. I think he’s great.”
The program originates from SportsGrid’s studios in New York City, which was arranged through a distribution partnership with FOX and Red Seat Ventures. Carton says he wanted to use the Manhattan-based studios for the program and had a great relationship with SportsGrid CEO and President Louis Maione. Following a conversation with SportsGrid, the network approached FOX and Red Seat about a distribution partnership for use of their studios.
“I really wanted to use their studio, and have had a long-standing relationship with SportsGrid,” explained Carton. “The ability to further distribute the show on all their FAST channels and social media platforms just seemed like a no-brainer to me. You want to get the show out to as many people as possible. They’ve allowed us to do that from day one. I think it will be a rewarding partnership for everybody.”
Rumors of a Return to Radio
Carton is no stranger to the pivot in his career. Following a long and successful run hosting morning drive alongside Boomer Esiason, and then in afternoons with Evan Roberts, Carton gave up what he says is in his blood — radio.
He was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2024 as recognition for his success at WFAN. A true honor for a self-proclaimed “radio lifer.”
When news broke about the cancellation of Breakfast Ball, almost immediately there began speculation about a potential return to the radio station he called home for thirteen years — something which didn’t stun Carton.
“I’m not surprised because I made my name at WFAN. The mornings with Boomer [Esiason], and the two and a half years in afternoons with Evan [Roberts],” said Carton. “I’m not surprised that people who like me and enjoy what I do would immediately ask the question. Well, he left WFAN to go to FOX. If he’s leaving FOX, is there a potential for a return? I’m not surprised those conversations happened amongst people who follow sports media.”
Carton says he’d be open to a conversation about a potential return to WFAN.
“I’m blessed to be a New York radio hall of famer. I know I do it really well, and I enjoy doing it,” said Carton. “If the opportunity arose where WFAN would want to bring me back, I would certainly answer that phone call.”
Although his sole focus right now is finding any avenue to make The Craig Carton Show as successful as it can be. Carton is not closed off to a return to the radio medium. He noted he wouldn’t dismiss any opportunity out of hand without knowing more about it. Whether it be a local or national opportunity. However, he does have some requirements for consideration.
“If my phone rang and somebody says we’re big fans of yours on radio. Are you available? Can we have the conversation? Obviously, I would have the conversation. I would be silly not to,” explained Carton. “So if that opportunity presents itself to do radio and it doesn’t have a negative impact on the podcast I just started, I would certainly have those conversations. If there’s an ability to do both, I would certainly consider it. Today my focus is on doing the best podcast I can for Red Seat and FOX Sports.”
The End of Breakfast Ball
Breakfast Ball on FS1 lasted for less than a year, or as Carton said, “didn’t make it to season two.” While the time from beginning to end was short, Carton stands by the content the program put out. He said he’s proud of what they did with the opportunity by FOX Sports. Saying he would put up the quality of the content created against any show on any network that does sports talk.
“I thought the show was really good. If you look at the social numbers of the show, it will speak to that. We did well over a billion views on social platforms. That’s a story that doesn’t get talked about anywhere,” said Carton. “While we all collectively certainly would have liked a much larger television audience. We never got to season two from a football standpoint to prove the merit of the show. I thought the content was as good or better than anyone else’s.”
Carton doesn’t rule out a return to programming on FS1 with The Craig Carton Show. He noted that there were conversations early on about where FOX would put the program and how to make it a podcast suitable for broadcast on television. Carton says there are no current plans to do so that he’s aware of. But if FOX wants to place the program back on FOX television, they can certainly do so.
What Carton is most enjoying about the new program is the fun he’s having with crafting the programming. He referenced how he values FOX’s trust in him to have full control over the content, not having to answer to anyone for the content he feels works best for him.
“An hour goes by really fast. I may get the itch to do more than an hour for sure,” said Carton. “I feel like I’m back with my Superman powers turned on.”
If talent determines what you can do, and your determination determines how much you are willing to do, your attitude determines how well you can do it.
For Craig Carton, his drive and appreciation for the new opportunity with FOX Sports and Red Seat Ventures continues to shine through every episode of The Craig Carton Show.
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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.
