Beasley Media Group and ALLCITY Network have come to a settlement over the employment of “97.5 The Fanatic” WPEN-FM Burlington NJ/Philadelphia midday host Anthony Gargano.
Gargano was one a a few current and former WPEN-FM staffers who joined ALLCITY’s new PHLY platform when it launched on September 12. Beasley would sue a week later alleging that Gargano was in breach of his contract by working for a company that is in direct competition with the station. The company stated in the suit, “Less than twenty-four hours after providing such notice, All City blitzed the Philadelphia market with press releases announcing the launch of its newest media platform — PHLY Sports — a ‘hyperlocal’ sports coverage network focused on the Philadelphia sports scene… All City’s media blitz also placed considerable emphasis on a press release announcing that Gargano will be ‘coming soon’ to the platform. Disturbingly, All City’s CEO has since claimed in the press that Gargano has been involved with the launch of PHLY Sports ‘since its inception’ and that he has been instrumental in the creation of a competing media platform that is actively poaching Beasley’s employees.” Gargano had been suspended with pay from the station since then.
In the settlement, Gargano will be allowed to work for ALLCITY, but cannot appear on any Philadelphia related content until the end of his non-compete next April. He can produce content for the company’s Chicago, Denver, and Phoenix platforms as well as a national NFL show although that too cannot appear on the company’s Philadelphia site. He also will be banned from disclosing confidential information gained from his employment at Beasley such as ad rates and client lists and for the next 18 months from soliciting Beasley customers, advertisers, or employees.
Separately, Gargano can host his weekly Fox Sports Radio show “The Fellas” with Jason Fitz and a sports betting podcast for Parx Casino.
Beasley’s suit against ALLCITY for damages continues separately from this settlement.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com