Howard Eskin, one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable — and often controversial — sports media figures, has announced he’s going off the air at SportsRadio 94WIP.
In a statement shared on social media, Eskin wrote, “I am moving on from SportsRadio WIP where I launched the station’s sports talk franchise. I leave with great affection for the listeners who have made this work so fulfilling.”
Who is Howard Eskin?
Howard Eskin’s stock rose in the late 1980s when he was the first broadcast on WIP after it switched to full-time sports programming, establishing it as the place for Philly sports and the soundtrack to construction sites, traffic jams and blue-collar break rooms in and around the city.
His passionate defense of his own opinions often sounded like disdain for defiant fans, but cemented the station’s appeal.
Eskin also has spent considerable time roaming the sidelines at Eagles games and delivered filter-free accounts of the team’s performance.
But, Eskin’s brash and unapologetic style came with controversy. Public feuds with players, team executives and even fellow reporters were as routine as his broadcasts.
In 2000, Eskin was made to apologize on air for saying the Miss America pageant was rigged. Seven years later, Eskin nearly came to blows with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel after accusing the skipper of not being hard enough on players.
And, earlier this year, he was suspended from Citizens Bank Park after an incident involving an “unwelcome advance” toward an Aramark employee.
WIP sidelined him for a bit, but he later returned and issued an apology.
Eskin has not said why he’s leaving WIP and station management has not yet made any public comment.
His son, Spike Eskin is an on-air talent at WIP.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why is Howard Eskin leaving WIP? What we know
