Ryan Hurley: WFAN is the ‘Gold Standard’

Ryan Hurley was named the brand manager of WFAN and Infinity Sports Network on Monday morning, ending the search for a new leader at the Audacy-owned outlets. Spike Eskin previously held the position and will be departing the outlet to join SportsRadio 94WIP as an afternoon talk show host. The news was officially revealed by Boomer & Gio on Monday morning, with co-host Gregg Giannotti revealing how the station has endured changes throughout the calendar year. Upon finding out that Eskin was going to be leaving, Giannotti has discussed the search on air several times and revealed that Jon “Stugotz” Weiner was in the running for the position. In the end, he made the official announcement that Hurley has landed the job and that David Mayurnik will also be promoted as assistant brand manager of the outlet.

Hurley is a graduate of Hofstra University and worked at ESPN New York for nearly two decades, initially starting as a tape operator in 2004. Throughout his tenure at the local station, he produced The Michael Kay Show and served as its assistant program director before being promoted to the role of program director later on. Hurley was part of ESPN layoffs that were part of cost-cutting measures by The Walt Disney Company last year, and he is grateful to be in a role that he referred to as “a lifelong dream” that inspired his pursuit of a career in sports media.

“I woke up and went to sleep listening to the station as a kid,” Hurley said. “[Mike] Breen doing the updates in the morning for [Don] Imus, and like I said, this has been the reason why I got in, and I had a great opportunity over at the other place to learn and to try and cut my teeth and work with some incredible people over there for years, but to come over here is different. This is the gold standard and the most iconic station in this genre obviously and one of the greatest ever, so it’s a big deal.”

Hurley acknowledged that WFAN is an iconic brand within sports media and is grateful for the chance to work as its brand manager. Giannotti then asked him to discuss how the last several months have been applying and waiting to hear the news as to whether or not he landed the role. Additionally, he wanted to know how it was for him dealing with layoffs at ESPN that played out publicly, which affected several areas of its business.

“Listen, it’s a tough time,” Hurley said. “You’re somewhere for almost two decades and trying to help build something, and all of a sudden you’re not. It’s been a tough time, but when I got the opportunity just to come in and meet with Chris and Spike and Sean, the conversations were incredible. But like you said, I was in here early on and it took a minute, but it can be a little grueling, but listen, knowing that I was in the mix was just an honor of itself.”

Hurley has met some of the members of WFAN over the years at events such as Media Row leading up to the Super Bowl and charity functions, and he has also worked with a few of them in the past as well. He used to produce Brandon Tierney’s program when he was with ESPN and had Tiki Barber on The Michael Kay Show for a weekly call about the New York Giants in the past. Even so, he is excited to meet everyone at the station and officially begin his role. At the same time, he recognizes how the foundation he built at ESPN New York will help him as the brand manager of WFAN and Infinity Sports Network.

“…I wouldn’t be here without a lot of those people to be honest with you,” Hurley said. “The relationships and some great people over there [that] I was able to work with and try and build something over at the station. I’m just very fortunate and lucky, but like I said, I can’t wait to be here and with you guys on a full-time basis.”

Giannotti concluded the segment by asking Hurley if he had any pause over Eskin leaving the role, to which he replied that he understood hosting in Philadelphia was something he wanted to do. From there, he congratulated him on the new role and welcomed him to the team at Audacy.

“I know what it’s like to be able to get the job you always wanted, and there’s nothing more special than that, so let’s do it – let’s kick some ass, let’s do some live shows, let’s continue to kill it,” Giannotti said. “Welcome to the family, and [Eddie Scozzare is] going to be retiring in two years. We need to find his replacement stat because that will be the hardest replacement out of anybody to leave WFAN, so put that in your head right now.”