Paolantonio Torpedoes Self Again With On-Air Smerconish Fight
ESPN analyst, author and former Inquirer reporter Sal Paolantonio suffered another high-profile radio breakup last week when he and “Big Talker” Michael Smerconish got into it while debating the local media’s coverage of Andy Reid’s family troubles. Paolantonio wouldn’t go into the specifics about the fight, but did say that he and Smerconish mutually agreed that it’s probably best he doesn’t appear on the show anymore.
Paolantonio’s first radio breakup came a couple of years ago, when he and 610 WIP morning host Angelo Cataldi had a disagreement that ended his frequent guest spots on the show. Cataldi says he had many rifts with Sal Pal, but wasn’t aware of the latest one with Smerconish — but he’s “not surprised” by the falling out.
“Long ago, Sal credited me with putting him on the broadcast map in Philadelphia by featuring him regularly on my radio show,” Cataldi tells the Daily Examiner via e-mail. “Sal was covering the Eagles for the Inquirer back then, and he was doing a terrific job. He was great on radio, too. We became good friends.
“One night, maybe seven years ago, he was scheduled as the lead guest on my Comcast Sportsnet TV show, and — just a few minutes before the live show was to begin — he stormed off. It was Halloween night, and I was dressed in a knight’s costume. Sal said he couldn’t possibly appear while I was in costume. He left us high and dry that night — no apology.
“Three years ago, Sal called me out of the blue one day and dumped me as his friend. His only explanation was that I was not initiating enough calls to him. Less than a week later, he signed as a paid contributor to my competitor’s show. Clearly, Sal’s appreciation for my being the first to discover his broadcast talents had ended. I have not spoken to him since. I have no plans to do so in the future.”
Paolantonio says he’s very disappointed about leaving Smerconish’s show — praising the host as “one of the best around” — and that Smerconish was “very generous” when it came to paying him as a guest. The two do have a personal relationship, but Paolantonio says he isn’t sure where that stands after the spat: “I hope we’re still friends.”
Smerconish didn’t respond to an e-mail request to discuss the situation.