Spike Eskin: The Philadelphia Radio Voice Who Redefined Sports Talk
How a programmer's son navigated controversy, climbed to VP at WFAN, then returned home to reshape afternoon drive on 94WIP
November 6, 2025 — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The day after the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX with a dominant 40-22 victory over Kansas City, most of the city was still celebrating. Champagne headaches. Hoarse voices. The kind of euphoria that comes from watching your team finish what they started three years earlier when Patrick Mahomes broke their hearts.
But on 94WIP's afternoon show, co-hosts Ike Reese and Spike Eskin were arguing about whether Jalen Hurts belonged on a list of elite quarterbacks. The exchange grew heated. Voices escalated. And then, the moment that defined their complicated chemistry: "I told you for the third time to stop yelling at me," Reese said, his frustration audible.
Welcome to Philadelphia sports radio, where even championships can't prevent debate, and where Spike Eskin — programmer, podcaster, provocateur — has spent the last year redefining what afternoon drive sounds like in America's most passionate sports city.
The Prodigal Son Returns
In January 2024, Audacy announced that Spike Eskin would return to WIP-FM (SportsRadio 94WIP)/Philadelphia as afternoon drive co-host, stepping down as VP of Programming for WFAN/New York and CBS Sports Radio, a position he had held since 2021. The move shocked the radio industry. Eskin was running one of the most prestigious sports talk stations in America, overseeing WFAN's programming and talent decisions in the nation's largest market.
But Philadelphia called him home.
Eskin joined Ike Reese and Jack Fritz weekdays from 2-6 p.m., taking over a slot vacated by Jon Marks, who had departed suddenly in December 2023, citing family time and financial concerns. The chemistry between Reese — a former Eagles linebacker beloved for his authenticity — and Eskin, known for his analytical, sometimes confrontational style, promised fireworks.
And fireworks is exactly what Philadelphia got.
"I am thrilled to be able to work with Ike and Jack in afternoons at 94WIP," Eskin said at the time. "It's now the third job of a lifetime I've had the opportunity to do."
The WFAN Years: Climbing to the Top
To understand Eskin's return, you have to understand what he left behind. In May 2021, Eskin departed his role as program director at SportsRadio 94WIP to become president of programming at WFAN and CBS Sports Radio, replacing Mark Chernoff, who had led the sports talk station for nearly 30 years.
It was a massive promotion. WFAN is legendary — the birthplace of the all-sports format, home to Mike Francesa's iconic run, the voice of Yankees and Giants games. Eskin was 40 years old and running one of the most scrutinized radio stations in America.
"Spike quickly became an integral part of the fabric of WFAN and CBS Sports Radio by making significant contributions to the brands, both on the air and in the hallways," said Chris Oliviero, Market President of Audacy New York. During his tenure, Eskin navigated retirements (Mike Francesa's second exit, Joe Beningno), departures (John Jastremski to The Ringer), and the challenge of maintaining WFAN's legacy while modernizing its approach.
But after two and a half years, Eskin made the rare decision to step down from executive leadership and return to on-air work in Philadelphia. "Leaving WFAN and CBS Sports Radio is an incredibly difficult decision. I'm surrounded by talented, great people, and it's been an amazing experience," he said.
Translation: He missed home. He missed the battles. He missed being on the front lines instead of managing from the tower.
The Howard Eskin Legacy
You can't tell Spike's story without mentioning his father. Howard Eskin, a longtime sports radio and TV figure in Philadelphia, serves as a sideline reporter for WIP-FM's Philadelphia Eagles broadcasts and has been a polarizing presence in the city for nearly four decades.
In December 2024, Howard Eskin announced his abrupt departure from SportsRadio 94WIP, marking the end of his 38-year tenure following a controversy where he was banned from Citizens Bank Park after making an unwelcome advance and kissing an Aramark employee before a Phillies game. The scandal cast a shadow over the Eskin name, and Spike addressed it directly on air.
"I didn't think there would be a world where Howard Eskin was not on WIP," Spike said. "Without him, first of all, WIP is not where it is today. But specifically for me, I would not be here… I am appreciative of him, I'm glad for the time he spent while he was here, I'm glad for the knowledge I picked up of what to do and what not to do over the years, and that's about it."
That final phrase — "what to do and what not to do" — speaks volumes. Spike inherited his father's platform and passion, but he's carved his own identity, one shaped by programming acumen, podcasting success, and a willingness to engage in uncomfortable conversations.
The Afternoon Show Chemistry
The dynamic between Eskin, Reese, and Fritz has been combustible, compelling, and occasionally cringe-inducing. In January 2025, former Eagles punter Sean Landeta called into the show and unleashed fury on Eskin, calling 94WIP "TMZ radio" after the station dedicated an entire day to a bizarre bit about locker room gossip involving Freddie Mitchell.
Critics argue the show has "lost its way," veering too far from sports analysis into entertainment gimmicks. Earlier that same week, with Fritz out of the office, they decided to have an AI Fritz call in and did a whole bit with it — a stunt that bombed spectacularly with listeners who wanted genuine Eagles playoff talk.
But there's also been brilliance. When the Eagles were riding an eight-game winning streak in late 2024, Eskin warned fans to settle down with Super Bowl talk. "Talking about the Super Bowl after 12 games is too early. It's not good for us, and it's not good for the team," he cautioned, showing the kind of measured analysis that balances hype with reality.
Similar to how Breece Hall navigated organizational chaos with the Jets, Eskin has had to balance competing demands — entertaining a passionate audience while maintaining journalistic credibility, managing big personalities while asserting his own voice.
The Jalen Hurts Controversy
Perhaps no moment better encapsulates Eskin's complicated relationship with Philadelphia sports than his evolving stance on Jalen Hurts. Eskin has called Hurts "not a top-five quarterback," a take that infuriated many Eagles fans, especially after Hurts led the team to Super Bowl LIX.
When Hurts appeared on the show in August 2025, Eskin asked softball questions about whether Hurts ever put his Super Bowl ring on, drawing criticism from listeners who expected harder-hitting journalism. One outlet called it "a pathetic outing from Spike," noting he "wimped out" during the interview.
Then came the post-Super Bowl argument with Reese, where a caller criticized Eskin for not giving Hurts enough credit, leading Reese to ask Eskin and Fritz to name Hurts elite, which culminated in 15 minutes of on-air tension. The clip went viral, dividing listeners between those who appreciated authentic disagreement and those who thought it was inappropriate timing the day after a championship.
Eskin's response? He doubled down on nuance. Yes, Hurts won a Super Bowl. Yes, he's a tremendous leader. But does that automatically make him a top-five quarterback? Eskin argued the question deserves debate, even if the timing was awkward.
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The Rights to Ricky Sanchez: Building a Podcasting Empire
Eskin is also the host of the Philadelphia 76ers-centric podcast "The Rights To Ricky Sanchez," which he continued even during his WFAN tenure. The podcast, named after the Sixers' ill-fated 2016 draft-day trade, became a cult phenomenon among Philly basketball fans during "The Process" era.
RTRS (as fans call it) showcased Eskin's ability to blend insider knowledge with irreverent humor, creating a community around Sixers fandom that transcended traditional sports talk. It's where Eskin felt most comfortable — unfiltered, analytical, occasionally absurd, always authentic.
The podcast's success proved Eskin understood the evolving media landscape. Radio wasn't dying; it was transforming. And the programmers who would thrive were the ones who could navigate both terrestrial radio's reach and digital media's intimacy.
The Criticism and the Defense
Eskin has faced his share of criticism. One prominent Philadelphia sports blogger noted being "blocked for years" on Eskin's social media accounts, suggesting a thin-skinned approach to criticism. Others have labeled him a "Nepo Baby," benefiting from his father's name and connections.
But defenders point to his accomplishments independent of Howard's legacy. "Spike's biggest contribution to WIP was righting the ship after Andy Bloom lost the plot at the end of the Josh Innes era. He brought in Jon Marks and reshuffled the daytime lineup and really just stabilized things," one analysis noted.
During his programming tenure from 2014 to 2021, Eskin transformed WIP from a station in crisis to a market leader. He made difficult personnel decisions, modernized the format, and created the conditions for long-term success before leaving for WFAN.
In the same way that the Lakers' comeback against the Spurs required both star power and supporting cast excellence, Eskin's WIP success came from balancing big personalities with smart structural decisions.
The Philadelphia Radio Landscape
When legendary Philadelphia radio personality Pierre Robert passed away in October 2025, Eskin tweeted: "Certainly can't imagine Philadelphia or Philadelphia radio without Pierre Robert. God bless him, his friends and family, and may he rest in peace."
That tweet revealed something important about Eskin's relationship with Philadelphia media: he understands the history, respects the legends, and recognizes that every voice — sports, rock, news — contributes to the city's identity.
Philadelphia sports radio exists in a unique ecosystem. WIP launched the station's sports talk franchise in 1986, pioneering the all-sports format and creating a blueprint that stations nationwide would copy. Angelo Cataldi dominated mornings for decades. Howard Eskin became "The King." And now, Spike represents the next generation — one foot in traditional radio, one in digital media, navigating a landscape his father helped create but can barely recognize.
What Makes Philadelphia Different
To succeed in Philadelphia sports radio requires a specific skill set. You must be knowledgeable without being condescending. Passionate without being a homer. Willing to criticize without alienating. And tough enough to survive listeners who will call you out for every bad take, every awkward moment, every perceived slight against their team.
"We're very excited to bring Spike home to Philadelphia and SportsRadio 94WIP," said David Yadgaroff, SVP/Market Manager, Audacy Philadelphia. "This is a unique opportunity to add a great talent with a long history in our marketplace."
That phrase — "a long history in our marketplace" — matters. Eskin isn't a carpetbagger. He grew up in this city, learned radio in this city, made mistakes in this city, and ultimately chose to return to this city when he could have stayed in New York's bigger spotlight.
The Future of Sports Talk
The 94WIP Afternoon Show with Ike Reese, Spike Eskin, and Jack Fritz runs weekdays from 2-6 p.m., competing in one of America's most competitive sports radio markets. They're up against podcasts, streaming, social media personalities, and an audience whose attention span shrinks by the year.
But they're also blessed with material. The Eagles just won a Super Bowl. The Phillies remain contenders. The Sixers are perpetually fascinating. And Philadelphia fans — demanding, knowledgeable, unforgiving — tune in because they need sports radio the way other cities don't.
Eskin's challenge is modernizing the format without losing its soul. That means embracing controversy without courting it needlessly. Experimenting with content without alienating core listeners. And remembering that Philadelphia doesn't want New York-style sports talk. It wants Philadelphia sports talk — raw, real, and unapologetically passionate.
The Verdict So Far
Nearly two years into his return, Eskin has delivered moments of brilliance and moments of cringe. The Super Bowl argument with Reese was both. The Sean Landeta disaster was mostly cringe. But the day-to-day work — breaking down Eagles film, debating Sixers roster construction, navigating Phillies disappointment — has been solid, professional, and occasionally inspired.
When Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata appeared on the show in January 2025, Eskin asked about the revenge factor heading into the Super Bowl against Kansas City. Mailata's response — honest, emotional, revealing — showcased Eskin's ability to extract genuine moments when the stakes matter.
That's the tension at the heart of Eskin's career: he's capable of thoughtful journalism and occasionally frustrating gimmickry, often within the same show. He's his father's son and his own man. He's a programmer who became a host, an executive who returned to the trenches, a podcaster who still believes in terrestrial radio's power.
The Bigger Picture
Spike Eskin's story is really the story of sports radio itself — an industry struggling to reinvent itself for a digital age while honoring the traditions that made it essential. His path from on-air host to program director to WFAN VP and back to Philadelphia afternoons mirrors the industry's own uncertainty about what comes next.
Will traditional sports radio survive the podcast revolution? Can terrestrial signals compete with streaming's infinite choice? Do younger audiences even care about AM/FM when they can get sports content from a thousand different sources?
Eskin's bet is that they do — if the content is good enough, authentic enough, and rooted deeply enough in a specific place. Philadelphia isn't a generic market. It's a city with a sports identity so strong that even championship celebrations turn into debates.
And in that ecosystem, Spike Eskin — complicated, controversial, capable — has found his place.
The Final Word
There's a moment on every episode of The Rights to Ricky Sanchez where Eskin and his co-host sign off with their signature phrase: "Trust the Process." It's become a mantra for Sixers fans, a reminder that building something great takes time, patience, and willingness to endure uncomfortable moments.
The same could be said for Eskin's career. He's trusted his process — learning programming from the ground up, taking the big job in New York, then choosing to come home when he realized that running a legendary station mattered less than being part of the conversation in the city he loves.
That post-Super Bowl argument with Ike Reese ended with both men agreeing to move on, the tension dissolving into the commercial break. It wasn't clean. It wasn't scripted. But it was real, and in Philadelphia, authenticity matters more than polish.
Spike Eskin may never be universally loved in a city that crowned his father "King" four decades ago. But he's earning something perhaps more valuable: respect. Respect for walking away from a bigger job to do the work he actually wanted. Respect for navigating his father's scandal with grace. Respect for showing up every afternoon and engaging in the arguments that make Philadelphia sports radio what it is.
The voice of a new generation sounds different from the voices that came before. Sometimes it's too analytical. Sometimes it tries too hard. But it's undeniably Philadelphia — argumentative, passionate, never satisfied, always engaged.
And in a city that just won its second Super Bowl in eight years, that voice will keep asking the uncomfortable questions, starting the necessary debates, and reminding everyone that even in victory, there's always something worth arguing about.
Welcome home, Spike. Philadelphia missed you. Even if they'll never quite admit it.
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