How Sal Licata Balances Finding Independent Success With Emotions of WFAN Exit

It’s been just over four months since Sal Licata signed off the airwaves of WFAN in New York City. The Audacy sports radio flagship announced a significant lineup change as Craig Carton prepared to make his return to the station. Carton’s return ultimately led station management to decide that Licata’s midday program with Brandon Tierney would be the casualty.

While time does eventually heal old wounds, Licata is still processing his exit from his beloved sports radio home. It’s a station he grew up listening to and where he began his career as an intern in 2003. The dream of a long-term future there suddenly faded.

“My whole life was WFAN, and my whole goal was to get to afternoon drive on WFAN. For the first time since I had that dream in 1995, I knew that dream was no longer a reality,” said Licata.

When The Athletic first reported that Carton would return for another stint at WFAN, the news broke while Licata and Tierney were live on the air. As the report became public, many speculated whether the duo knew what was coming and what it meant for their future.

At that moment, Licata and Tierney did not comment on the report despite growing chatter among listeners.

“Most people won’t have to handle situations like that. It was unfortunate. We were put in an impossible spot, but I think we handled it perfectly,” said Licata.

Leaving WFAN

Licata said he learned the night before The Athletic’s report that his show with Tierney would come to an end. He added that he had been part of conversations months earlier about potential other opportunities at WFAN.

Although BT & Sal lasted just over two years, the show’s approach in its final days remained professional. WFAN management allowed Tierney and Licata to close out their midday run on their own terms, a rare occurrence in sports radio.

“The final two weeks of our show is the work that I’m most proud of,” said Licata. “I appreciate WFAN for not yanking us off the air, but I’m also extremely proud of what BT [Tierney] and I did as a team in handling that under the most impossible of circumstances. We were as professional as can be although we were both hurting. But we knew we had a job to complete, and we did that.”

The end of Licata’s tenure at WFAN hit hard. He admits he no longer listens to the station. Not because he believes the product has declined, but because of the emotions it brings back. Licata compared leaving WFAN to moving on from an ex-girlfriend.

Going Independent

He launched his own podcast in mid-January, about a month after his departure. During that gap, he focused on next steps while working through the emotional toll of losing his job.

“I was sulking,” explained Licata. “There was a lot of re-evaluating and self-assessing. Trying to figure out what the hell just happened. I was in no space to go out there and do content, and needed time off. Honestly probably needed more time off. I knew I had to launch because I couldn’t wait much longer. But I still was not mentally one hundred percent ready. My heart wasn’t one hundred percent into it. I was still hurt, and I’m still going through those emotions.”

An independent podcast had always been on Licata’s mind, even while working at WFAN and SNY. In hindsight, he believes every media personality should consider building an independent platform.

However, Licata said he has no regrets about not starting sooner because his focus was fully on advancing at WFAN.

“It’s something that I thought about for a while but didn’t have a reason to do it. I was going to do it, but I never had to do it,” explained Licata. “It’s almost a blessing in disguise that in this case I was forced to do it. I still think it’s early in the game with podcasting where I’m not far behind.”

Licata stated that if he had launched the podcast while at WFAN, it likely would have fallen under the Audacy umbrella. Meaning he may not have retained ownership of his intellectual property after his departure in December.

He says the best part of going independent is controlling both the content and his future. The freedom to shape his show and decide when to go live has been liberating. Licata added that his content will remain heavily New York-centric, with occasional national topics.

A Potential Return To Sports Radio

Rather than casting a wide net, Licata wants to stay true to the approach that fueled his success.

“I haven’t lost my passion for sports radio. I still love it,” said Licata. “Truly, I don’t care if it’s a national opportunity, a local opportunity. I plan on getting back in radio at some point soon.”

Licata revealed that WFAN presented him with opportunities to stay in a different role before his exit. However, none of them felt like the right fit at the time. Still, he remains open to a return.

“I would be surprised if that was the last time I was behind the microphone at WFAN. I believe I have a good relationship with everybody there. It’s nothing that is imminent, but it was my understanding that we were trying to work on something to eventually have me back in some capacity,” said Licata. “I just don’t know if that’s going to be possible…. but I would be surprised if I never do a show on WFAN again.”

Following his departure, other outlets reached out about potential opportunities. Licata said he appreciated the interest, but none resulted in a full offer. He added that the best option at the time was to remain at WFAN, though not in a role he was willing to accept.

As he continues to process his exit, Licata still views WFAN as a major force in sports radio. He disagrees with former co-host Brandon Tierney’s recent claim that the station is “less relevant than it ever has been in his lifetime.” Instead, Licata believes the industry has evolved without losing its impact.

“I don’t think WFAN or anything else is the same as it was twenty or thirty years ago. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing,” says Licata. “Everywhere I go, people say to me, ‘Miss you on WFAN.’ That’s the power of WFAN. There’s no dispute that the business has changed. When radio was the only game in town, it was a different feel. Now, there’s a million ways to get things. That’s what’s changed. It doesn’t mean WFAN is any less powerful.”

Today, Licata is focused on growing his podcast into a sustainable business. In the early months, his biggest challenge has been finding time to consistently produce content while balancing schedules with his producer, “Badaboom.”

Despite those hurdles, Licata is optimistic as the baseball season ramps up and the NFL season approaches. While discussions about a potential WFAN return linger, his focus remains on building what’s next.

Sal Licata is carving out a new lane—one that exists outside WFAN, but not far from it. The platform is different. The control is his. However, the voice, passion, and connection to the audience remain unchanged.

And while he’s focused on the future, the door to WFAN doesn’t appear fully closed.

So maybe this isn’t goodbye. It’s a pause, with the possibility that one day Licata’s voice finds its way back to where it all started.

Licata is no longer behind the microphone at WFAN—at least not today. However, if his story proves anything, it’s that in sports radio, as in sports itself, endings often turn into returns when you least expect them.

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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.