#WFAN favorite to land Craig Carton as Philly station poses threat

The potential comeback of Craig Carton to WFAN would rock the New York sports radio world, with Carton a worthy competitor to face-off with ESPN New York’s “The Michael Kay Show” for afternoon supremacy.

And Carton’s return, after serving a year in prison for a ticket scam, is drawing closer. WFAN, according to sources, is methodically going through the process as it builds toward making Carton an offer. It has not made one yet, but at this point one is expected in the relatively near future.

Besides FAN, according to sources, Carton has received serious interest to do mornings from a top Philadelphia all-sports station, 97.5, The Fanatic. FAN remains the clear favorite.

If Carton were to agree to return to WFAN, the station would likely pair him with an ex-athlete, as it did in his first go-around with Boomer Esiason.

In afternoons, Joe Benigno is expected to retire or take on a reduced role, and Evan Roberts could move back to middays. Maggie Gray’s contract is up at the end of the year, but Gray teaming with Roberts is realistic. In this scenario, Marc Malusis’ spot would be in limbo.

All that said, Carton’s return to WFAN is not a done deal just yet, but it continues to trend that way, though, there is interest in Philly, too.