Howard Eskin Renews Contract With WIP-AM
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- WIP-AM announced that Philadelphia sports radio legend Howard Eskin has agreed to a contract extension and will remain a key team member of the top-rated station in the future. Beginning in September, Eskin's focus will be on his role as host of the station's Philadelphia Eagles Gameday coverage, as well as his in-game sideline reporting duties. Additionally, Eskin will contribute breaking news stories to the various weekday shows broadcast on WIP, guest host various timeperiods, and anchor coverage of original special event programming.
Click Here To Listen To Eskin's On Air Announcement
Eskin will celebrate his 25th anniversary with the station on Aug. 29.
Says Eskin, "This new contract provides me with the ideal schedule for the future with the ability to remain part of the WIP team for years to come. Working Eagles football and a variety of shows across the WIP lineup, while at the same time not having to work the 3:00-7:00PM daypart will allow me the freedom to further explore some national opportunities I've had recently. I'm looking forward to this new chapter and challenge of my career."
"Since the late 70's, Howard Eskin has had more impact on the Philadelphia sports landscape than anyone I know," said Marc Rayfield, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, CBS RADIO Philadelphia. "He is now, and will always be, an icon in this city. We are thrilled he has chosen to remain with WIP while at the same time pursuing some exciting, new opportunities."
Eskin started the sports talk revolution by hosting the very first sports talk show on WIP in 1986. Since then he has broadcast nearly 6,000 programs. In addition, Eskin also appears weekly on television as a regular co-host of the popular Sunday night sports show, "Sports Final" on NBC10 (WCAU-TV), and is a frequent guest on ESPN's First Take and a regular guest host on "The Dan Patrick Show" broadcast nationally on radio and TV.
The Emmy-Award winning sportscaster first made the transition from radio to television in 1982 when he joined CBS 3 (KYW-TV). In 1986, Eskin helped launch Fox29's (WTXF-TV) Ten O'clock News as part of its original anchor team. Later, he rejoined KYW-TV in 1992 and then moved to WCAU-TV in 1996. He has also been a contributor to the George Michael Sports Machine on NBC, co-hosted a nationally-syndicated radio show, Let's Talk Sports, written a column for the Philadelphia Daily News and has been called on for his opinions by such diverse programs as NBC's Today Show and PBS's MacNeil Lehrer Newshour.
Throughout his career, this Philadelphia native and Northeast High grad, has used his celebrity to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities, including Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Terri Lynne Lykoff Child Care Foundation, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and The National Multiple Sclerosis Society through sales of his own signature bobblehead.
Among his many honors, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has named Eskin "Man of the Year", and the March of Dimes previously honored Eskin as its "Media Person of the Year". Eskin also was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and he received the March of Dimes prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Achievement in Radio in 2010.
A new afternoon drive host will be announced at a later date.
WIP-AM is one of the first all-sports formatted stations in the nation and the leading station of its kind in Philadelphia. The CBS RADIO property is the flagship station for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Flyers, and is also home to Angelo Cataldi and the morning team. Each year prior to the Super Bowl, WIP hosts Wing Bowl in front of a sold-out crowd at the Wells Fargo Center. A division of CBS Corporation, CBS RADIO operates 130 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation's top 50 markets. CBS RADIO also owns and operates KYW, WYSP, WPHT and WOGL in Philadelphia.
