Ranking The Top 10 WFAN Personalities

Added by Matt Kardos on January 11, 2012.

Well over one hundred years ago, when Guglielmo Marconi developed the first semblance of what we today call, “the radio,” I don’t think he or anyone else could have ever believed it would revolutionize and grow to become the staple that it has become today. As sports fans, there is something about the radio that is cozy and welcoming. For older fans, the radio is where many of your sports memories as a child were made without television broadcasts being available. Radio has since become a platform for every die-hard fan to fulfill there need for sports debate and discussion. Living in the metropolitan area, arguably the biggest and most diverse sports market in the country; local fans typically tune their dials to 660, better known as WFAN, the world’s first 24-hour sports talk radio station.

Since 1987, fans of New York and New Jersey sports teams have been calling in to various personalities around the clock to vent, debate, discuss and criticize their views and opinions on the hottest of sports topics.

With such heavy influence on our everyday lives, Double G Sports felt it would be a good idea to rank the top 10 personalities on the radio station. Rankings were compiled based on a variety of factors from personality, voice, how relatable they were to the average caller, and the unique factors that they bring to the table.

1. Craig Carton

Since the Boomer and Carton morning show first took to the airwaves in the fall of 2007; Carton has rejuvenated a morning fan base that went south when the Don Imus show was canned for his racist comments towards the Rutgers women’s basketball program in 2006. Searching for a fresh new personality, Carton has become arguably the most popular figure on the station. A local guy with New York roots, Carton has the guts to be bold, blunt and outlandish. Known for his frequent sexual references, “lock it up” predictions and outstanding comical imitations, Carton is without a doubt the most popular figure WFAN has to offer.

 2. Joe Beningo

Beningo has been a staple to the WFAN family for over 15 years now. After winning a station-held contest in 1994 to guest host a show, Beningo earned a full-time gig with the station in 1995 and has been one of the most well known voices on the station since. Having accumulated a majority of his following as the overnight host until 2004, Beningo is best known as being the biggest pessimist in the city. Regardless of his favorite teams (Jets, Mets, Knicks, and Rangers) place in the standings, he lets it be known that he expects the absolute worst based on their previous fortunes. Greeting most callers as “bro,” Beningo has a good pulse for the callers and their feelings because he too comes across as a fan himself.

 3. Steve Sommers

Good evening to you and how ya be!? Anyone who is familiar with WFAN could recognize this greeting from host Steve Sommers, who refers to his listeners as the folks, “on the other side of the glass.” Known as the “schmoozer,” Sommers is an older man, nearly 65 years old. His dialogue is very thought out and deep, almost philosophical. He uses a very intelligent form of comedy which has brought him such a loyal fan base. Sommers has been with the station since its inception in 1987, making him one of the most popular yet respected personalities on WFAN. Sommers typically finds himself hosting the overnight programming.

 4. Evan Roberts

Roberts is one of the younger and newer breed of hosts WFAN brings to the table. Co-Hosting the midday show with Beningo, Roberts began his broadcasting career at the ripe young age of 10 years old when he was granted the chance to present 20-20 updates during the Imus Morning Show. After bouncing around to various stations, Roberts returned home to WFAN in the mid 2000’s and has since becoming a vital cog on their broadcasting roster. Roberts is more on the quiet side but has an outstanding plethora of knowledge, especially when taking into account his age. He is a die-hard fan in every sense of the word, holding season tickets to both the Mets and Nets and frequently attends Jets games. For that reason fans and listeners alike respect his insight and opinion more than most.

 5. Mike Francessa

The name pretty much speaks for itself; Francessa is easily the most well known and recognized figure in the history of WFAN and maybe talk radio. Francessa is in his third decade of hosting the afternoon programming, prime time for rush hour listening. Along with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Francessa and Russo teamed for 19 years to bring to radio waves everywhere the “Mike and the Mad Dog Show” which is regarded by many as the most successful sports radio program ever. The show put WFAN on the map and was the cornerstone for the success they have seen since the stations inception. Russo departed from WFAN for a solo gig on satellite radio. As a result, Francessa too opted for a solo program called “Mike’d Up.” Though his ratings are still off the charts, the personality of Francessa just isn’t there. He comes across as a very angry, arrogant, cranky old man. He often hangs up on callers or belittles the opinion of others that don’t coincide with his own. He is held on a pedestal by many, but based on just likeability though; Francessa is far from the top these days.

6. Boomer Esiason

Teaming with Carton, Boomer is one of the more heralded figures on the station because of his NFL roots. A former NFL MVP, the Long Island native was the Jets starting quarterback in the mid 90’s. Combing his New York roots and experience in the trenches, Boomer is a perfect figure to provide insight to listeners. I view Boomer as the soft and gentle personality of the station, as extreme as Carton tends to be, boomer is the polar opposite. The shows success is based a lot on how the differences between the two compliment each others strengths. While Carton is ranting and raving in uproar, Boomer is typically the voice of reason.

 7. Al Dukes

Ordinarily you would not ever find a producer as one of the standout personalities on a radio program. However, in the case of Dukes, he is extremely involved on air while also serving as the Producer of the Boomer and Carton morning program. Dukes is one of the funnier people on the show, not so much for his jokes but because he comes across as a very dull and boring guy who really has a very small base of sports knowledge. Dukes is often the butt of jokes and is best known for his original songs and jingles based on current sports topics in addition to the Al Dukes Boring Podcast. He is a necessary figure to bring another element of humor to the program when Carton becomes too much.

 8. John Minko

One of the senior figures on WFAN who is best known as the 20-20 update anchor during the day (10am-5pm). “Mink,” is a very polite and soft spoken figure who has been providing us with breaking updates since the station began. John doesn’t often get the chance to weigh in during air time but Francessa usually incorporates him into the program by asking him personal questions or often falsely accuses him of talking behind other staff members backs for comedic purposes. I regard him almost as the father figure of the radio station and for that reason I think he is certainly an iconic personality to the station.

 9. Lori Robinson

Lori is one of the newest members to the WFAN staff, having debuted on air in the spring of 2007. Sometimes I have the ultimate respect for Robinson because being a female radio host is hard enough, but to be successful at talking sports in the biggest market in the world is very impressive. Make no mistake, Robinson is no push over or gimmick, she may be a woman but can hold her own in any sports related discussion. She is typically used a weekend or fill-in host but I think as she puts in more time she will gain more air-time. I find it pretty unique and refreshing to gain perspective from a woman’s point of view in regards to sports.

 10. Team of Eddie Coleman and Sweeny Murti

WFAN has one of the best teams of baseball reporters in the country, covering the Mets and Yankees respectively. Both call in on a day to day basis to every program to give up to date reports on the teams and any news that is being broken in regards to them. Both reporters travel with the team so they have a better pulse for the teams than most. As fans we crave constant updates and Eddie C and Sweeny bring us just that. They quite simply put are both the best in the business at what they do.

Who is your favorite WFAN Personality?