NYC Radio: WFAN Wanted To Team Bart Scott With Craig Carton

ESPN's Bart Scott

While Evan Roberts is in line to be Craig Carton’s partner on WFAN afternoons, he was not the station’s first choice, The NY Post is reporting.

WFAN executives, led by Chris Oliviero, heavily recruited Bart Scott to leave ESPN and return to 101.9 FM 660 AM, according to sources.

It was close to happening.

Scott fit the description of what FAN wanted in Carton’s partner. He is an ex-athlete with radio experience, like Carton’s former morning partner, Boomer Esiason. The issue, of course, Scott was under a recently signed contract with a rival.

Scott, according to sources, was intrigued by the possibility of returning to WFAN in prime real estate, more money and Oliviero leading the management team again.

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With Scott on the radar, Oliviero spoke with his counterpart at ESPN New York, Tim McCarthy, to ask permission to speak to Scott. While this is somewhat akin to the Yankees-Mets making a deal, McCarthy, according to sources, allowed the under-contract Scott to speak with FAN, not wanting to prevent what could be a potential upgrade for Scott’s career, even if it meant competing against his ESPN New York “Michael Kay Show.”

At the same time, Scott, McCarthy, Scott’s agent Mark Lepselter and top ESPN executives discussed expanding Scott’s future presence on the network. Promises about future consideration have been made to expand Scott’s impact on ESPN.