Duo to replace Imus at WFAN

Esiason, Carlton picked as replacements

By MICHAEL LEARMONTH

CBS's New York sports station WFAN named former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason and broadcaster Craig Carlton as permanent replacements for Don Imus, who was ousted after making derogatory comments about the Rutgers U. women's basketball team in April.

By naming Esiason and Carlton, WFAN turns to an all-sports format and severs its relationship with MSNBC, which simulcast "Imus in the Morning," which it replaced with a show hosted by former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough.

MSNBC had hoped to strike a new deal with WFAN to carry "Morning Joe," and sources said the cabler is looking to other radio stations as possible outlets for Scarborough's show.

MSNBC is experimenting with different co-hosts for Scarborough, including news reader Mika Brzezinski and humorist Willie Geist. His move to the morning opened up a slot at 9pm, where MSNBC general manager Dan Abrams has been filling in since earlier this summer.