Phillies radio host suspended from Citizens Bank Park for next season

Howard Eskin, a key figure in Philadelphia sports radio, has been banned from Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, following allegations of inappropriate behavior. Eskin was accused of making unwanted advances toward a female stadium employee in May.

An Aramark employee accused the longtime Phillies commentator of giving her an “unwelcome kiss” despite her efforts to move on from Eskin. Aramark supplies food to Citizens Bank Park.

The incident occurred before a game at the CP Rankin Club, an area behind home plate that was formerly known as the Diamond Club. When Aramark learned of the unrequited kiss, it launched an investigation and was able to confirm the employee’s account, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In a statement, Aramark said, “We then worked with Audacy and the Phillies to ensure appropriate steps were taken to protect our employee and all Aramark employees at Citizens Bank Park.”

Eskin, 73, works for SportsRadio 94WIP in Philadelphia, and Audacy is the station’s parent company. Audacy also confirmed the station’s “unwelcome kiss.”

While the allegations are nowhere near as serious and heinous as those against Detroit Tigers commentator Craig Monroe, who was suspended indefinitely by the club, the Phillies stressed that the team is taking the Eskin situation seriously.

“We have worked with our partners at Audacy and Aramark in their investigations… We support Audacy’s decision to suspend Howard Eskin from Citizens Bank Park,” the club’s statement said.

Howard Eskins ban on Citizens Bank Park

Although both the Phillies and Aramark investigated the situation, Audacy ultimately decided to ban the commentator from Phillies home games for the remainder of the 2024 season. Despite the ban, Howard Eskin will remain on the air, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, which cited sources who wished to remain anonymous.

The consequences of the inappropriate behavior were not limited to the Phillies. The local sports radio station was also banned from the Philadelphia 76ers. According to CBS News, he is banned from the team’s training facility in New Jersey “until further notice.” He is also no longer welcome at the Wells Fargo Center, where the 76ers play their home games.

Eskin had achieved almost legendary status as a sports radio host in the City of Brotherly Love. He helped launch SportsRadioWIP in 1986 and has been a radio staple ever since, covering a variety of Philadelphia sports — most notably the Phillies and Eagles.

Eskin is known as a polarizing personality who often takes a confrontational approach to callers – which, for some reason, seems to work in Philadelphia. Over the course of his long career, he has made over 8,000 broadcasts, more than any other American sports radio announcer.

Earlier this year, Eskin was selected to deliver the commencement address at Goldey-Beacom College. The school also awarded the longtime broadcaster an honorary doctorate in media and communications.

Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, president of Goldey-Beacom, noted of Eskin, “He often says he’s never had a bad day in his life.” That opinion may have changed after the recent allegations and his subsequent ban.