Former WIP Anchor Angelo Cataldi Speaks Out on Allegations Against Howard Eskin

The hosts at WIP-FM (94.1) have remained largely silent on the allegations surrounding Howard Eskin, and that doesn’t sit well with Angelo Cataldi.

The former WIP morning show host, who retired last year after more than three decades on the air, criticized his former station in a blog post for remaining silent on Eskin, calling it “disrespectful to the public.”

“The whole town is talking about the Eskin scandal right now, but not the station where he built his reputation?” Cataldi writes. “It’s a place where people talk, nonstop, 24 hours a day.”

The Inquirer reported that Eskin was banned from Citizens Bank Park for the remainder of the season after an investigation revealed that the longtime Philly sportscaster made unwanted advances toward a female Aramark employee at the CP Rankin Club behind home plate in May. Eskin was also banned from the Sixers’ practice facility in Camden, according to Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who is also employed by WIP.

Eskin has yet to comment publicly on the matter.

Both WIP and its parent company, Audacy, have remained largely silent on the situation. Audacy confirmed the “unwelcome kiss” and said it had taken steps to address the issue “following an investigation,” but the company has not commented further.

WIP host Spike Eskin, Howard’s son, briefly responded to the allegations Wednesday afternoon, but only to tell listeners he would not comment on the situation surrounding his father.

“I don’t feel comfortable talking about the issue itself at all, just as I wouldn’t if it were anyone else here at WIP,” Eskin said.

“The stupidest thing a radio station can do is not talk,” Cataldi writes.

Cataldi took his own advice in 1997, when a Pottstown woman was murdered by her jealous husband after Eskin sent her a bouquet of roses. Eskin said at the time that he had already emailed the woman and was simply trying to “brighten her day.”

“I didn’t know the details of the scandal, but I knew people wanted to talk about it,” Cataldi said. “And they did. For days. Because that’s what talk radio is all about.”

Despite a controversial history that goes back decades, Cataldi credited Eskin with being a “sports talk pioneer” in Philadelphia after he transitioned from disc jockey to sports in 1986. The two often sparred in public and weren’t afraid to discuss controversial topics on air. Cataldi urged WIP hosts to do the same now.

“You make your living talking and letting people talk,” Cataldi said of the station’s hosts. “This is definitely not the time to be silent.”

Eskin has not been suspended by the station, but he has not appeared on the air since the allegations were made public this week. He also will not host his Saturday morning show this week, but sources say that is due to a planned vacation.