In a major shake-up at WFAN, Jody McDonald is out, while Joe Benigno is moving to the midday shift.
Benigno will join Sid Rosenberg on the new FAN 10-1 p.m. team. Benigno, who had worked overnights for a decade, will debut with Rosenberg on Monday.
Chris Carlin, the former producer of the Mike & the Mad Dog show, is the new overnight host. McDonald could still work fill-in shifts on the FAN.
“The door is open,” FAN GM Lee Davis said.
While Davis was complimentary toward McDonald, FAN executives had contemplated replacing him for a couple of years. The final push may have been interest in Benigno from 1050 ESPN Radio, sources said. Davis said he was unaware of ESPN’s interest.
ESPN never offered Benigno a job.
“Joe is a great talent and I’m happy for him,” 1050-ESPN Radio’s Mike Thompson said.
Benigno’s promotion is long overdue. He broke into the FAN lineup after winning a contest. After a short stint at a station in Elizabeth, he picked up the overnight job at the FAN. In this role Benigno, like his predecessor, Steve Somers, developed a loyal following. Now, it is Carlin’s chance to create a bond with his audience.
With the highly-rated Imus in the Morning leading into the mid-morning shift, any WFAN team has a ratings head start over 1050 ESPN Radio’s Michael Kay. While Kay’s lead-in Mike & Mike in the Morning – hosted by Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic – is a pretty good show, it doesn’t pull the type of numbers Imus’ crew does. Mac & Sid beat Kay in the ratings.
However, Rosenberg and McDonald never could create the type of chemistry a team like Mike & the Mad Dog owns. With a wild personality like Rosenberg, an ideal co-host would poke fun and lend perspective to counteract some of the outrageousness. McDonald did this at times, but not enough. Plus, McDonald’s opinions weren’t must-listens.
Benigno does have those type of thoughts. His passion for sports – perhaps the most important trait for a successful sports talk show host – is heard in every word he utters. The question facing this new team is who will reign in the outrageousness.
