Entercom Communications distributed “an important update” on Monday morning regarding one of its most important audio brands.
“Later in 2021,” its Brand Manager — the Sports Format Captain for the entire company — will step down from day-to-day oversight of WFAN-AM & FM in New York and CBS Sports Radio.
What’s next for Entercom … and for Mark Chernoff?
Many are likely asking that question, as Chris Oliviero, Sr. VP and Market Manager for Entercom/New York, wrote in a company memo to the local staff that “[a]fter nearly 30 years of unmatched success,” Chernoff will be relieved of day-to-day oversight of WFAN and for CBS Sports Radio “after a worthy successor has been identified.”
While that will come over the next 11 months, Chernoff notes it won’t be rushed. “Trust me,” Oliviero wrote. “[It] will be no easy task.”
And, “since no one knows the job better,” Oliviero said Chernoff will be a member of the search committee for the next sports content lead for both brands. Until that time, he’ll remain fully responsible for all operations.
Chernoff will continue on as an advisor to WFAN after the search and transition is
complete.
Oliviero commented, “I was lucky enough to first meet Mark in 1998 in his windowless sub-sub-basement office out at the Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens. I was a college grad groveling for part-time board op shifts at WFAN. That began a relationship that has evolved into one of the most rewarding, important and genuine friendships of my entire life. One that I have and always will cherish.”
Chernoff’s tenure at WFAN includes overseeing a Sports Talk giant that gained an FM signal, the former WPIX-FM and WQCD-FM at 101.9 MHz; saw Imus in the Morning continue the legacy of the former WNBC-AM; and gain a huge legion of fans through such sports talk shows as Mike & The Mad Dog.
While those programs may be top of mind, “no name has been more responsible for the consistent excellence of ‘The Fan’ than ‘Chernoff,’” Oliviero said.
