Philadelphia sports radio fans are buzzing after John Kincade, recently laid off from 680 The Fan in Atlanta, posted a cryptic picture on Twitter from Philadelphia International Airport. The Broomall native’s name is consistently linked to Philadelphia radio openings, particularly the coveted spot currently held by Angelo Cataldi at 94 WIP, fueling speculation about a potential homecoming.
For years, rumors have circulated regarding Cataldi possibly passing the torch to Kincade upon retirement. Adding fuel to the fire, Kincade himself stated a few weeks prior that “every single option is on the table,” including a return to Philadelphia. He also mentioned taking the rest of 2020 off before considering new opportunities in 2021.
This recent tweet, a picture of Philadelphia’s airport with no accompanying caption, has sent local media into overdrive. Is this a sign that Kincade is in town for serious discussions with 94 WIP or perhaps rival station 97.5 The Fanatic? Or is he simply visiting family and grabbing a taste of home?
Image: John Kincade’s Uncaptioned Tweet from Philadelphia Airport Sparks Radio Return Speculation. Fans are analyzing John Kincade’s Twitter for clues about his next career move after his layoff from 680 The Fan.
Previously, there has been discussion about where Kincade might fit into the Philadelphia radio landscape should he decide to return. While WIP’s morning show with Angelo Cataldi might seem like a natural fit given their history, Cataldi recently signed a new contract, making that slot unavailable in the immediate future. Middays at WIP are also secure with the successful Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie show, as is PM drive with Jon Marks and Ike Reese, who have consistently outperformed their competition. Nights with Joe Giglio are also performing well, leaving little room for immediate changes at WIP.
The Fanatic 97.5 presents a more intriguing, albeit complex, scenario. Despite rumors of morning show shake-ups, potentially involving figures like Craig Carton, placing Kincade in mornings would mean direct competition with Cataldi, as well as Beasley Media Group’s other successful morning programs, Preston & Steve on WMMR and John DeBella on WMGK. Saturating the morning market further might not be the most strategic move for The Fanatic.
Middays at The Fanatic are currently held by Anthony Gargano, who, while not a ratings juggernaut, is considered valuable for his sponsor relationships and veteran presence. However, the most speculated time slot for a potential Kincade arrival is PM drive, currently hosted by Mike Missanelli. Missanelli’s ratings have seen a slight dip recently, and with his contract reportedly nearing its end, the timing could align for a change if Beasley, The Fanatic’s parent company, were inclined to make one. Recent reports suggest Beasley might be considering changes, with concerns raised about on-air incidents and politically charged content both on air and, notably, on Twitter.
Whether John Kincade’s Philadelphia airport tweet is a genuine hint at an impending radio deal or simply a visit home remains to be seen. The sports radio world, and especially Philadelphia fans, will be closely monitoring social media, particularly John Kincade’s Twitter account, for any further clues in this developing story. The “radio wars” frequencies are indeed active, and the next chapter in John Kincade’s career could be unfolding soon.
