NYC Radio: Speculation Surrounds Possible Return Of Craig Carton

Chris Oliviero said it is the question he has been asked most often since being hired on May 6 as Entercom New York’s senior vice president and market manager: Will Craig Carton ever return to WFAN?

Craig Carton

“I understand why people would ask that, especially based on our long history,” he told Newsday on Monday. “But the answer is: Who knows? There are so many variables.

“That said, if a time in the future came where Craig had gotten his life back on track, fulfilled all that was asked of him and was in a position to resume his career, of course we’d talk and discuss.”

Newsday reports Oliviero has a long history with Carton, including helping bring him to WFAN 660 AM / 101.9 FM alongside Boomer Esiason in 2007, when they succeeded Don Imus in morning drive time.

Chris Oliviero

The show was a ratings success but was derailed in September of 2017 when Carton was arrested and charged with running a Ponzi scheme to pay off gambling debts.

When he was sentenced in April of 2019 to 42 months in prison, Oliviero was among the friends and colleagues who showed up for the hearing. Entercom is WFAN’s parent company.

After saying he would be open to talking to Carton when he is free, Oliviero added, “I think every other radio group would have the same conversation. His talent is well-documented. But he is absolutely not in that position yet, nor do I know when that will be.

“I do think New York believes in second chances in life, so I do think that when that day comes, he will have conversations with people. But I don’t know when that is.”