Two of the most recognizable voices in Philadelphia sports radio recently offered a candid assessment of the current state of the format and the station where each built a legendary reputation. Former 94 WIP hosts Angelo Cataldi and Howard Eskin shared their thoughts during a recent episode of The Howard Eskin Show, reflecting on how the industry — and the tone of sports talk in Philadelphia — has evolved since their time behind the microphone.
Cataldi, who retired in 2023 after more than three decades hosting mornings on WIP, admitted that he no longer listens to the station that helped define his career. According to the longtime host, tuning in became more frustrating than enjoyable as he heard approaches to the format that clashed with his own philosophy.
“I stopped listening,” Cataldi said. “I don’t listen at all anymore. The reason is because I would hear something that I would go, well, no, that’s not the way you should do it. I did it for 33 years. I know how to do it. It got to the point where it was just so frustrating for me that I don’t listen.”
Beyond his personal listening habits, Cataldi believes the tone of sports talk in Philadelphia has softened compared to the environment that once defined the city’s sports media landscape.
“People emailed me all the time,” Cataldi said. “The Phillies would lose a big playoff game and the next day the host would talk about how nobly they fought. That’s not the Philadelphia I was in. When you don’t win here, you should pay a price.”
Eskin, who spent decades as a fixture in Philadelphia sports media and also hosted shows on WIP, broadened the discussion to include the overall health of radio as a medium. While acknowledging that sports talk radio provided both men with successful careers, Eskin suggested the industry faces mounting challenges as audiences shift to digital platforms.
“People don’t want to turn the radio on anymore,” Eskin said. “Radio is a dying business. It’s sad because both our careers were great for sports talk radio, but it’s a business that’s almost dead.”
He also expressed concern about the financial realities for younger employees entering the field, claiming that some producers at WIP earn wages that make it difficult to build a sustainable career in radio.
“I found out within the last week that WIP pays a lot of producers $13 an hour,” Eskin said. “Nothing against McDonald’s, but you can make more money at McDonalds. The kids want to get into radio, and I understand that, but that’s so unfair to them. Just be fair to him. That’s all. Just be fair.”
Despite his strong opinions, Eskin said he avoids discussing the station with his son, Spike Eskin, who currently hosts afternoons on WIP.
“We don’t talk about it,” Eskin said. “He’s a smart guy and he knows what he’s doing. He plays the radio game the way they play it now, which I don’t totally agree with. We don’t discuss it”
Ultimately, Eskin believes the challenges facing WIP mirror a broader issue throughout the industry: a shrinking pool of standout on-air talent.
“They have some good people there [94 WIP],” Eskin said. “But they don’t have enough good people there, and they’re not alone. Talent doesn’t exist the way it used to in talk radio. It’s just the way it is”
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