Beasley Sues Fanatic Host Gargano

• RAMP has confirmed that Beasley Media Group has suspended and filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Anthony Gargano, midday host on Beasley Sports-Talk WPEN (97.5 The Fanatic)/Philadelphia.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gargano is being sued over his involvement with PHLY Sports, a new digital media outlet owned by the ALLCITY Network. Brandon Spano, co-founder & CEO of ALLCITY Network, told The Inquirer last week that PHLY’s launch “would not have been possible” without Gargano’s involvement.

Beasley’s suit claims that Gargano is in breach of his contract, which states that he’s “prohibited from providing services to a competing business while still employed by Beasley… 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.”

Beasley also claims ALLCITY solicited nine employees at The Fanatic, including “significant content creators, account executives and sales managers.” PHLY also hired former Fanatic host Devon Givens to cohost its Sixers show; however, Givens’ non-compete will keep him off PHLY until November.

In addition to The Fanatic, Gargano 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 that 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.

Gargano has been with the Fanatic since 2015 and is under contract until October 2024, according to the lawsuit. RAMP reached out to Beasley corporate for comment, and received this statement: “As a matter of company policy, we do not discuss personnel matters in the media.”