Boomer Esiason to Replace Don Imus on WFAN

Although not yet official, Newsday is reporting that Boomer Esiason will be taking over the Don Imus show on WFAN. The format of the new show is unclear. It is expected that Boomer will continue his work for CBS on their NFL studio show, as well as his show on the MSG network. However, he might have to cut back his "Monday Night Football" radio schedule.

from Neil Best at Newsday

CBS Radio and Boomer Esiason are close to an agreement to have Esiason become the morning host on WFAN, according to a person familiar with the talks, who last night said a deal is "imminent."

Esiason has been on the short list since Don Imus was fired April 13, but the situation has been muddled by Imus' legal status.

CBS Radio is expected to reach a settlement with him that would avoid litigation and allow him to leave for another station.

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Don Imus Not Returning to WFAN

Despite the persistent rumors, Don Imus will not be returning to his morning show on WFAN. Boomer Esiason is now the leading candidate to take over the morning drive slot. Insider thinking is that Boomer would be a better fit than Imus on the all-sports station. Neil Best of Newsday is reporting that Imus may show up elsewhere on radio after securing a contract settlement with CBS.

Dan Patrick To Launch Syndicated Radio Show

from Robert Feder at The Chicagio Sun-Times

Also on the ESPN beat, Dan Patrick, who's leaving the network after 18 years as one of its biggest stars, soon will announce his new deal: He'll continue in radio and launch a new nationally syndicated program via Chicago-based Content Factory.

read entire article ...

According to this report, Dan Patrick has already signed a deal to launch a new syndicated radio program. I haven't seen this reported anywhere else, and it has not been confirmed. I had previously speculated that Patrick might be leaving ESPN to take over the Don Imus radio show. Neil Best of Newsday is reporting that this will not be the case.

UPDATE - Read the official press release: Dan Patrick Adds ''Mo'' to ''Big Show"

Dan Patrick Announces He is Leaving ESPN

Dan Patrick has just officially announced he is leaving ESPN on August 17th. He did not elaborate on why he is leaving, or where he will be going to. He did say that he will be a "free agent", suggesting that he has not yet agreed to take another position.

The one hint Patrick dropped was that he "hopes to remain in radio." This would seem to rule out Fox Sports as a possible destination. The most likely possibilities now include Sporting News Radio and, as I previously speculated, the old Don Imus radio show on WFAN and MSNBC.

I think today's announcement supports the Don Imus theory. If Patrick was to take over the high profile Dom Imus show, his new bosses would not want him to announce it on rival ESPN radio. They would want to hold their own press conference to gain as much publicity as possible. Similarly, his current bosses at ESPN would not want him to promote his new show on ESPN radio.

Let the Dan Patrick Countdown Begin

The countdown to the "Dan Patrick leaving ESPN" announcement on his radio show tomorrow has officially begun. There are plenty of rumors going around that Patrick will announce his departure from ESPN during his Monday radio broadcast. Various rumors have him leaving ESPN for Fox Sports, Sporting News Radio, satellite radio, or even to host The Price is Right.

On July 5th, I speculated that Patrick may leave ESPN to take over the Dom Imus show on WFAN and MSNBC. Patrick is exactly what they are looking for -- a recognizable name that can talk knowledgebly and with humor about sports, news, and pop culture. But here is another possibility: Dan Patrick flees to the flegdling Versus network to immediately become their most recognizable name and host a daily SportCenter-esque show. Sound crazy? Well, actually it has been done before by Patrick's good friend Keith Olberman, who once left ESPN for Fox Sports to host his own daily sports news show. (Which was trounced by SportsCenter.)

One interesting fact, reported by Sports Business Radio, is that the ratings of Patrick's radio show trail those of ESPN's other primary radio properties, Mike & Mike in the morning and "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd.

The Dan-Patrick-is-Leaving Rumor Picks up Steam

from The Big Lead

When we left Tuesday, speculation about Dan Patrick leaving ESPN was turning from a whisper to a roar. For us, it’s what our contacts over at the four-letter weren’t saying: nobody would give us a straight answer. They either hadn’t heard or they couldn’t say. Which led us to believe Patrick was gone. It also sort of makes us wonder if Patrick’s agent planted the Price is Right rumors to fuel interest in the anchor. We do remain somewhat skeptical, though, because ESPN hands USA Today any meaningful scoop (not due to a relationship, but simply because the McPaper has the largest readership audience in the United States), and we found nothing about the announcement in that rag today. We’re guessing it’ll happen Monday, when the world returns to work.

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The Dan Patrick rumors are really picking up steam now. Most observers are guessing that he will move to Fox Sports. As far as I can tell, this is the only space guessing that he will be taking over Don Imus' old job.

Dan Patrick to Leave ESPN?

from Michael David Smith at aol.com's Fanhouse

Greenstein reports that a source said there is a "90 percent chance" that Dan Patrick will announce his farewell during his Thursday radio show. Although Patrick won't host The Price is Right, he has been rumored to have a number of other options, ranging from sports to news to entertainment.

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Earlier, I commented that WFAN and MSNBC would have to bring back Dom Imus if they could not replace him with "a Bob Costas." Well, what about a Dan Patrick? If Dan Patrick really does leave ESPN today, as is being reported, let me be the first to guess that he will be Dom Imus' replacement. Patrick is the perfect choice, in that he can talk knowledgeably about sports, news, and entertainment, has a great sense of humor, and already has a huge fan base that he can bring with him.

Imus Coming Back? The Hints Keep Coming

from Neil Best at Newsday

The Don Imus tribute on WFAN Friday morning was interesting. Naturally, it focused on the enlightened, racially inclusive, beacon of a tolerant society side of Mr. Imus and as you would expect avoided the raunchy, racist, sexist elements of his show that got him canned April 12.

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Are WFAN and MSNBC actually trying to find a replacement for Imus, or are they just waiting for the situation to die down before bringing him back? My guess is that Imus brings in too much money to just let him go. Look at how many second chances Opie and Anthony have been given for the exact same reason. So unless WFAN and MSNBC can reel in a Bob Costas, there is no way they are going to take a financial hit with a Boomer Esiason.