When ex-WIP host Devan Kaney received an invitation for a talk with her manager Tuesday, she expected a discussion about scheduling.
Instead, Kaney received the shocking news that she would be included in the company’s round of layoffs.
“It was naïve of me to assume I was more valued than I was,” she told bizjournals.com.
Kaney detailed the disappointment after her four-year run with the company, which also included a year-plus serving as the Eagles’ sideline reporter.
She replaced Howard Eskin in 2024 after the longtime Philadelphia sports voice was accused of “forcibly grabbing” a woman, allegations he denied.
The job was a dream come true for Kaney, a childhood Eagles fan.
Kaney also had a spot on one of the networks’ radio morning shows, plus Phillies duties. She even told bizjournals.com that she signed a two-year extension with the network last year.
While WIP will no longer be employing her, she noted to the outlet that the Eagles sideline reporter budget is not the same as WIP’s overall budget and she’s hopeful there’s a path to remaining in that role.
Kaney also serves as a weekend anchor and reporter for Fox 29 in Philadelphia
“I’m going to miss covering an NFL team,” Kaney told the publication. “I loved working with Merrill (Reese), Mike (Quick) and our producer, Joe McPeak.
“Mike Quick became a mentor to me. Those guys worked together for so long and they just accepted me right away, and they all reached out when they heard (about the layoff).”
If there’s no path with WIP — which is owned by Audacy — Kaney is hopeful there could be a national gig on the horizon.
“I am going to aim really high,” Kaney told bizjournals.com.
“There are not a lot of opportunities locally. NBC (Sports Philadelphia) has gotten rid of its sideline reporters. But I would love to do that for the NFL, MLB or NBA nationally.”
Kaney is one of two notable sideline reporters in the Philadelphia market to be involved in layoffs, with NBC Sports Philadelphia moving on from Phillies clubhouse reporter Taryn Hatcher.
NBC explained the decision as one rooted in a shift in coverage tone.
Hatcher has since joined the CW to help cover the Professional Bowlers Association.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
