Craig Carton may have shot at WFAN return under new boss

WFAN is getting a new boss — same as the old boss. And this could have huge implications for the potential return of Craig Carton to WFAN whenever he is released from prison. Sources have told The Post that Chris Oliviero is taking over as the head honcho at WFAN and all of the Entercom-run …

WFAN is getting a new boss — same as the old boss.

And this could have huge implications for the potential return of Craig Carton to WFAN whenever he is released from prison.

Sources have told The Post that Chris Oliviero is taking over as the head honcho at WFAN and all of the Entercom-run New York stations, which include WCBS and WINS, as well as FM music stations (WNEW, Alt.-92.3 and 94.7 New York Country).

Oliviero’s title is market manager, which sounds like a person who is running a convenience store but is akin to what other stations would traditionally call a general manager. He is replacing Susan Larkin.

Larkin was promoted to COO of Entercom. Longtime radio executive Mark Chernoff remains in a decision-making position at FAN.

Shortly after Entercom took over FAN, Oliviero left on his own accord after 22 years. He was the executive vice president of programming before exiting shortly when Entercom fully took over in 2018.

Local radio is facing a particularly challenging time during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic that has seen advertising recess. Besides the lack of content, with no games the gambling advertising has evaporated.

Meanwhile, Carton remains in a minimum security federal prison in Pennsylvania in the midst of a three-and-half year sentence for his part in a ticket scam. It is not known yet when Carton, who began serving his prison term in mid-June last year, will be released.

While there is an industry feeling that Carton, 51, would be given another chance on radio or in a digital format, having a close ally like Oliviero in a powerful position could make an eventual return to his former station more likely.

Oliviero began his career as an intern under Howard Stern in 1996. He went on to be a producer for Carton. Oliviero, along with Chernoff, put together the team of Boomer Esiason and Carton to replace Don Imus in 2007.

Since Carton’s arrest, WFAN has been in flux with the only steady daytime program still in the mornings. Esiason and his new partner, Gregg Giannotti, have continued at the top of the ratings.

In the afternoons, after the turmoil of Mike Francesa’s on-and-off-again retirements, Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts have initially struggled against ESPN New York’s Michael Kay Show.

The Kay Show does more than sports, like Boomer & Gio, whereas Joe & Evan have always been more of a game-centric show. With no games, Joe & Evan are struggling to find their afternoon footing.

Maggie Gray, teamed with Marc Malusis, could also be a winner in Oliviero’s return. Oliviero hired Gray, along with Chris Carlin and Bart Scott, to originally replace Francesa during his first semi-retirement.

And then, as always — and maybe forever — there is Francesa. Francesa is still pulling down a nice salary and is just starting a new three-year deal, but barely has any impact in the ratings or in the conversation. He does a daily hour on Radio.com and fills a weird 6-6:30 p.m. time slot on the FAN.

His presence on social media has evaporated with his on-and-off-again feud with the Twitter feed, @BackAftaThis.

But he is still a part of the FAN legacy. He has a history with Oliviero, so there should be some common ground to figure out the path forward.

It is a new day at FAN. It feels like an old one. And that may not be the worst thing.