Feature: Media: Game On
Both stations find themselves struggling against a common enemy — the teams they cover. Last spring, an executive from one of Philly’s four major sports teams drove to the WIP studios for a face-to-face with Cataldi after his show; as proof of whose opinion matters most at the station, the executive told Bloom and Rayfield they could leave — and they did. The mood was cordial but tense as the exec and Cataldi sat alone in a conference room — Cataldi in baggy pants and a t-shirt, the exec in a suit and tie — discussing Cataldi’s criticism of a coach. The exec said, “You’re being unfair.” The host said he simply had a strong opinion; without that, he’d be committing career suicide. Twenty minutes later, they agreed to disagree.
Such hackles-raising isn’t rare. A bigwig from a different team was so incensed about the WIP morning show’s relentless hammering of his squad that he went over Rayfield’s head, calling a CBS Radio executive to complain. “They’re very angry, but we understand your job is to voice criticism,” the CBS executive relayed to Cataldi, who snapped back: “They should be upset about the way the team is performing.”
As The Fanatic’s impact grows, so does the bitching directed its way, all aimed at its top dog. Ever since Missanelli questioned Ruben Amaro Jr.’s honesty regarding his motivations in trading Cliff Lee, the Phillies GM has refused to come back on his show. Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson — who last year hosted a seasonal show on The Fanatic — also felt Missanelli and the station did wrong by him. Jackson told Missanelli it was “time for a change” after McNabb was traded, and the station replayed the sound bite so often that ESPN put it on national television, ripping Jackson for putting a cleat to McNabb’s backside on his way out. Two days after the interview, a rep for Jackson called the station, threatening that the wideout would never speak to The Fanatic again if it didn’t stop playing the clip. The station caved. No one told Missanelli about the dustup — because there was fear within the station that he’d resurrect the matter just out of spite.
Perhaps the only subject both stations agree on is that while all teams complain, the worst offenders by far are the Eagles. General manager Joe Banner calls both stations personally; rumors swirl that he’s also berated newspapers when he’s unhappy with a story. (Banner declined to comment for this story.) Years ago, some of WIP’s hosts had a friendly sit-down with Banner at the NovaCare training center to discuss how they could improve their relationship. According to one attendee, the WIP hosts had plenty of suggestions, but the meeting didn’t amount to much more than a free lunch.
