WFAN’s Sal Licata sends message to Craig Carton: ‘You’re not taking my spot’

If Craig Carton and WFAN are thinking about a possible reunion, just know Sal Licata has no plans of giving up his microphone.

Earlier this week, FS1 made sweeping changes to its weekday lineup, canceling Carton’s Breakfast Ball, Emmanuel Acho’s The Facility and Joy Taylor’s Speak. Thursday afternoon, Dave Portnoy confirmed a new partnership between Barstool and Fox Sports. According to Portnoy, he will have a role on Big Noon Kickoff, and Barstool will produce a new morning show on FS1 to replace Breakfast Ball.

While some of the personalities from those canceled FS1 shows, such as Danny Parkins, are expected to have future roles with the network, Carton’s time with Fox Sports seems more likely to end after nearly three years. In the wake of that news, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand speculated that Carton could return to WFAN, again. But if a return is on the table, midday host Sal Licata doesn’t seem interested in making room for Carton.

During his Wednesday show, Licata was complaining about the MLB All-Star MVP award going to Kyle Schwarber for what he did in the swing-off.

“I know Manfred belongs in the Hall of Fame. Little old me, I’m just a washed up talk radio host that will probably lose his job when Craig Carton comes back,” Licata said. “What do I know. But, if you’re gonna give out an All-Star Game MVP, maybe have it from something that happened in the actual game!

“And by the way, I’m not worried about Craigy coming back. I told it to his face. This was years ago, whenever he came back the last time. You can come back all you want, you’re not taking my spot.”

The last time, Sal Licata was an overnight host. And it’s safe to say Craig Carton never had his eye on an overnight hosting gig with WFAN. Now, Licata co-hosts the midday show with Brandon Tierney, which is a little more appealing, but it still probably isn’t what Carton would be looking for.

WFAN was willing to give Carton a second chance when he was released from prison five years ago. So, it’s certainly reasonable to assume they’d be willing to welcome him back if and when he does officially exit FS1. But as of right now, there’s no room for Carton.

Five years ago, Joe Benigno was happy to retire from daily radio to open a spot up for Carton as afternoon drive co-host. But that opening doesn’t appear to exist right today. Licata isn’t going to give up his spot willingly, nor should he. And as much as Carton deserves credit for helping build the station’s current morning and afternoon shows, their ratings have continued to be successful without him. With that stability, WFAN probably won’t feel much urgency to bring him back.