Philly Radio: Beasley Suspends, Sues Anthony Gargano

After a week of midday host Anthony Gargano missing in action on WPEN 97.5 now comes work that is has been suspended. 

The Philly Inquirer reports Gargano is currently suspended with pay over his involvement with PHLY Sports, a new digital media outlet that launched last week, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday by The Fanatic’s parent company, Beasley Media Group.

The company says Gargano breached his contract, which states he’s “prohibited from providing services to a competing business while he is employed by Beasley,” according to the lawsuit.

Anthony Gargano

Gargano helped build and assemble the talent at PHLY Sports, which is owned by the ALLCITY Network, and was featured in their launch video as “coming soon.” Brandon Spano, the cofounder and CEO of ALLCITY Network, told The Inquirer last week PHLY’s launch “would not have been possible” without Gargano’s involvement..

Beasley said Gargano told The Fanatic on Sept. 11, less than 24 hours before PHLY launched, that he intended to continue hosting his show while also accepting employment with the new sports outlet, where among other things he would write articles and appear on podcasts.

“In other words, Gargano intends to work simultaneously for two competing business to provide sports coverage and commentary to the Philadelphia marketplace, targeting the same audience and competing for the same local advertisers on each platform,” the lawsuit says.

Gargano is under contract with The Fanatic until October 2024, according to the lawsuit.

Beasley also claims ALLCITY solicited nine employees at The Fanatic, including “significant content creators, account executives and sales managers.” PHLY also landed former Fanatic host Devon Givens, who will cohost their Sixers show. Givens is currently subject to a non-compete clause that will keep him off PHLY until November, according to Spano.

In addition to The Fanatic, Gargano also cohosts a weekly Fox Sports Radio show with former NFL lineman Lincoln Kennedy called The Fellas. Beasley addressed the show in the lawsuit, saying Gargano was allowed a “limited exception” to host the show because his involvement predates his employment at The Fanatic. Fox Sports is also prohibited from selling advertising for the show in and around Philadelphia, the lawsuit says.