‘The King’ is out: Howard Eskin leaves 94WIP after 38 years
Philadelphia sports radio host Howard Eskin looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)
The King has been dethroned in Philadelphia.
After 38 years of hosting, Eagles sideline reporting, and basically building up the station from its establishment, Howard Eskin revealed Friday that he is leaving SportsRadio 94WIP.
“I leave the station with great affection for the listeners who have made the work I do so fulfilling during my time there,” Eskin said in a post on X. I’m looking forward to what comes next career-wise. I promise you’ll be the first to know.”
No details were conveyed on the reasons for the 73-year-old’s sudden exit. That leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
The King joined WIP in 1986, hosting the afternoon drive show, going back at his callers often, calling anyone he disagreed with a “dope.” Eskin also reported from the sideline of Eagles games for decades for the station’s radio broadcasts. He scaled back in 2011 but still appeared on the weekends and periodically during the week.
In July, Eskin was involved in allegations that he provided an “unwelcome kiss” to a woman in the CP Rankin Club at Citizens Bank Park in May. The Phillies banned Eskin from CBP, and the Flyers and 76ers banned him from the Wells Fargo Center. Audacy officials said they conducted an internal investigation on the allegations, and Eskin was not suspended from WIP, although he did not appear on his usual two-hour Saturday morning show from May to July, and was authorized to continue his Eagles sideline reporting.
Audacy declined to comment on whether Eskin’s departure has any connection to what happened earlier in the year. But, I think it is safe to assume it absolutely is the reason Eskin is out at WIP.
The King has had a legendary run at WIP. There is no WIP without Eskin. But, he has been washed for years, and it is time for the post-Howard Eskin era in Philadelphia radio. But we still have Spike from 2-6 p.m.
I leave you with a legendary video of Howard Eskin Eskin in full Dallas Cowboys gear at Veterans Stadium kicking maybe the worst field goal attempt of all time.
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Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
