Spike Eskin
Spike Eskin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brett Eskin August 7, 1976 |
| Education | Syracuse University (BS) |
| Parent | Howard Eskin (father) |
| Career | |
| Show | WIP Afternoon Show (2024–present) |
| Station | WIP-FM |
| Time slot | 2:00–6:00 p.m. ET Monday–Friday |
| Country | United States |
Brett "Spike" Eskin (born August 7, 1976) is an American radio personality who currently serves as a host for WIP-FM in Philadelphia. He previously served as the program director for WIP and WFAN-FM in New York City. Eskin is also the co-creator and co-host of Rights to Ricky Sanchez, a podcast covering the Philadelphia 76ers.
Early life and education
Eskin was born on August 7, 1976, to a Jewish family and grew up in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.[1][2] His father, Howard Eskin, is a longtime Philadelphia sports media personality who worked at WIP from 1986 until 2024. Eskin graduated from Episcopal Academy in 1994.[1][3] He attended the University of Southern California, but later transferred to Syracuse University, where he graduated in 1998 with a degree in broadcast journalism from the Newhouse School of Public Communications. At Syracuse, Eskin worked at the university's student-run radio station, WJPZ-FM.[4] It was at WJPZ that Eskin developed his nickname of "Spike" due to having spiky hair.[1][5]
Career
Eskin began his professional career as a disc jockey at WYSP-FM, which at that time was a hard rock station. He then moved to alternative rock station WKQX in Chicago, where he later became their music director.[1] Eskin moved back to WYSP in 2007, serving as a midday host and later the assistant program director. After WYSP changed formats to sports in 2011, Eskin entered sports radio and joined WIP-FM as a fill-in host and social media manager, while also serving roles as a sports editor for CBS Philadelphia and a sports reporter for KYW.[1][6]
In 2013, Eskin and television writer Michael Levin created the Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast. The podcast covers the Philadelphia 76ers, and is a reference to former 76ers prospect Ricky Sánchez.[2]
In 2014, Eskin became the program director at WIP.[5][7][8] He also briefly served as a co-host on WIP's afternoon show, but left the on-air role in 2016 to focus as program director.[9] Eskin served as program director until 2021, when he departed to take on the same role at WIP's sister station, WFAN-FM, in New York City.[10] In the new role for parent company Audacy, Inc., he would also oversee programming for CBS Sports Radio.[11]
In January 2024, it was announced that Eskin would be leaving WFAN to return to WIP in Philadelphia and become the co-host of the WIP Afternoon Show alongside Ike Reese and Jack Fritz.[9] Eskin debuted on the new WIP Afternoon Show in April 2024.[12]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Rys, Richard (April 26, 2013). "Jesus. What If Howard Eskin Was Your Dad?". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Keene, Louis (May 9, 2023). "Two Jewish guys created the most popular fan podcast in sports. The 76ers had to listen". Forward.
- ↑ Yumpu.com. "The Birth of Team 2234". yumpu.com. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Ulrich, Curtis. "Spike Eskin talks about professional and personal growth at Pizza with the Pros". The Whit. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Darrow, Chuck (November 9, 2014). "The Interview: Brett "Spike" Eskin". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 6.
- ↑ "Spike becoming familiar face of Philly sports". PhillyBurbs. February 9, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Eichel, Molly (March 28, 2014). "Spike Eskin named new WIP program boss". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 7.
- ↑ McQuade, Dan (March 27, 2014). "Spike Eskin Named Program Director at WIP". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Contes, Brandon (January 17, 2024). "Spike Eskin leaving WFAN for on-air role with Philly's WIP". Awful Announcing. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Best, Neil (July 15, 2021). "New exec Eskin prepares to steer WFAN". Newsday. p. A45.
- ↑ Mamola, John (February 10, 2026). "Inside Spike Eskin's Evolution From Programmer To Host Guiding 94 WIP Afternoons". Barrett Media. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Staff, B. S. M. (April 15, 2024). "Spike Eskin Joining SportsRadio 94WIP Afternoon Drive Beginning Tuesday". Barrett Media. Retrieved August 19, 2026.