WFAN host Gregg Giannotti broke his silence Tuesday following criticism by fellow WFAN host Craig Carton regarding the program’s lack of response to criticisms made by SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio host Katie Nolan. The WFAN host finally explained why he sat out a fight with Katie Nolan and her producer — and answered Craig Carton in the process.
What We Know: Katie Nolan and producer Isabella Joson mocked WFAN hosts Boomer Esiason and Giannotti last week over WFAN’s new SiriusXM partnership. Carton then criticized Giannotti on his afternoon show for not firing back at the barbs thrown by Nolan. On Tuesday’s Boomer & Gio, Giannotti addressed both critiques directly. He called the silence deliberate, not cowardly, yet said his bond with Carton has never been stronger.
What They Said: (All comments via Boomer & Gio – WFAN)
Gregg Giannotti explains why he didn’t respond to Katie Nolan’s attack on Boomer Esiason: “The things that these two were saying, I can’t even explain to you so incredibly stupid… I just didn’t have the real, genuine emotion to fight that battle because it didn’t feel necessary. It really did not.”
Gregg Giannotti says he didn’t feel attacked by Katie Nolan’s commentary: “I didn’t feel attacked. Sometimes I feel like it’s okay to sit one of these out. So whether you agree with me or not, like that was my entire thought process with this particular issue.”
Gregg Giannotti didn’t feel Katie Nolan and her producer were worthy of a response: “I felt like we could sit this one out because these two were just not a worthy opponent. I’m not saying this now to respond and to squash them. This is just what was in my head, and that’s what I said when I came in. You don’t even know what’s going on in this relationship. Were not colleagues. The fact that the producer of Katie Nolan’s podcast wanted a heads up that we were getting in the Audacy business. [One] that included the Boomer & Gio show is one of the more laughable things I’ve ever seen.”
Gregg Giannotti on Craig Carton’s criticism over not responding to Katie Nolan: “Sometimes the balls come from not answering every single person that has something to say about you. To have the confidence to just be like, I’m gonna leave this one alone. It’s like saving that spider in the house and putting it outside. You squash every spider. There’s one like you know what I’m gonna let this one live, and you put it outside.”
Gregg Giannotti on his relationship with Craig Carton: “Craig and I have never had a better relationship than we have right now. Not that we had a bad relationship. We had zero relationship. Since he’s come back this time, him and I have had great conversations. We have more of a relationship than we’ve ever had. When he says stuff now, I know where it comes from more than I ever have, and I think he understands me more than he ever has.”
What Remains Unclear: Will there be further escalated between the three programs as a results of Giannotti’s response.
What It Means: Giannotti’s response reframes silence as a choice, not a retreat. It also signals no lasting rift with Carton, despite the public jab. For WFAN, that internal stability matters more than a one-week spat with a SiriusXM rival. It could make for some compelling radio if Nolan and the WFAN programs were to expand on their disagreements in a public forum. Especially with Audacy’s brands merging onto the SiriusXM platform.
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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.