Craig Carton
{{Short description|American radio personality}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox presenter
| name = Craig Carton
| image = Boomer and Carton (29872193013) (cropped).jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Carton in 2016
| birth_name = Craig Harris Carton
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|1|31}}
| birth_place = New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| show = Breakfast Ball
| station = WFAN and WFAN-FM, New York City
| network =
| timeslot = 8:00-10:00 AM Eastern Time
| show2 =
| station2 =
| network2 =
| timeslot2 =
| style = Sports radio
| country =
| prevshow = Boomer and Carton
The Jersey Guys
Sports Guys
| parents =
| spouse(s) =
| web =
}}
Craig Harris Carton (born January 31, 1969) is an American radio and television personality. He was the co-host of the Carton and Roberts sports radio program on WFAN in New York City, and is seen nationally on Fox Sports 1 as host of Breakfast Ball weekday mornings. He previously co-hosted Boomer and Carton on WFAN and later CBS Sports Network from 2007 to 2017.
During its 10-year run, Boomer and Carton became the most listened to show in WFAN history, placing first among men ages 25–54. In September 2017, Carton resigned from the program and WFAN after his arrest for securities and wire fraud. He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, and after serving 12 months, he was released to home confinement in 2020 and completed his sentence in 2021. He satisfied his 3 years of court ordered probation in June 2024.
Four months after his release from prison in 2020, he was rehired by WFAN, for which he hosted the number-one rated afternoon-drive program with Evan Roberts. Carton became only the second broadcaster to ever host the number-one show in both morning and afternoon drive, after Howard Stern. Carton also hosts a podcast and public service show called Hello, My Name Is Craig dedicated to helping listeners with gambling addiction and other issues. Carton was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association's Hall of Fame in October 2024.
Early and personal life
Craig Harris Carton was born on January 31, 1969, in New Rochelle, New York. In March 2019, Carton revealed that he was a victim of child sexual abuse while at a summer camp.{{cite news |last1=Riley |first1=John |title=Carton, seeking leniency, cites gambling addiction |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/craig-carton-ponzi-scheme-1.28829152 |access-date=30 March 2019 |work=Newsday |date=March 22, 2019 |language=en}} He graduated from New Rochelle High School and the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1991.[http://www.wfan.com/pages/842416.php WFAN.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107104936/http://www.wfan.com/pages/842416.php |date=November 7, 2007 }} wfan.com
While in high school, Carton performed play-by-play duties for a variety of Westchester County high-school sporting events and was enrolled in a sports broadcasting class taught by legendary announcer Bob Wolff. As a college student, he worked as a DJ at several Syracuse nightclubs.{{cite episode |series=Carton and Roberts |date=February 26, 2021 |station=WFAN |network=WFAN Sports Radio |minutes=252 |quote="It wasn't like I was announced as, Tonight DJ'ing at Faegan's, one night only. I was just like the in house DJ."}}
In his 30s, Carton was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.{{cite web |title=WFAN Radio personality Craig Carton joins NJCTS leadership as honorary board member |url=https://www.nj.com/messenger-gazette/2013/02/wfan_radio_personality_craig_carton_joins_njcts_leadership_as_honorary_board_member.html |website=The Messenger-Gazette |access-date=May 18, 2022 |date=February 28, 2013}}
Carton's first book, Loudmouth: Tales (and Fantasies) of Sports, Sex, and Salvation from Behind the Microphone, was released on June 4, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.bobsblitz.com/2013/01/craig-carton-wrote-book-and-theyre.html |title=Craig Carton wrote a book and they're publishing it |access-date=January 3, 2013}}
Carton launched the Tic Toc Stop Foundation in 2013, which raises funds to combat Tourette syndrome and provide a camp for youths with Tourette named Camp Carton. Fundraising has included an annual golf tournament and a bowling event known as "Strike Out {{Sic|Tourettes}}."{{cite web | date=September 2013 | url=http://www.bobsblitz.com/2013/09/support-craig-cartons-1st-annual-strike.html |title=Support Craig Carton's 1st Annual Strike Out Tourettes Bowling Event |access-date=September 28, 2013}}
Career
Carton began his broadcasting career in 1991 at WGR Radio in Buffalo. He went on to work at WWWE in Cleveland in 1992 and WIP in Philadelphia in April 1993.{{cite web |title=WIP Radio Signs Deal With Flyers |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wip-radio-signs-deal-with-flyers/ |website=CBS News |access-date=May 18, 2022 |date=August 13, 1998}} On WIP, Carton was a brash weekend host nicknamed "The Kid" and filled in on the station's morning-drive show.[https://books.google.com/books?id=kLUG8ZeXaucC&pg=PA138Merrill Reese: It's Gooooood!] Google Books
Carton left the East Coast for Denver, working mostly at KKFN 950 AM, "The Fan." His morning show took off immediately and he became the highest-rated host in the station's history. He next took the morning slot on KBPI, where he hosted the market's top-rated local morning show.{{cite web|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/personality/craig-carton/|title=Craig Carton|website=CBS News New York|access-date=September 12, 2017|quote=He was later hired by cross-town rival KBPI and within one ratings period had the highest rated local morning show in Denver.|archive-date=August 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819070610/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/personality/craig-carton/|url-status=dead}} Carton left Denver to care for his wife Kim, who was pregnant with their first child.
In late 2000, Carton replaced Scott Kaplan on WNEW-FM's Sports Guys morning radio program in New York City, a job that he held for one year. He took the show in a new direction, adding stunts such as an on-the-air cockfight and "Pastapalooza." Carton was broadcasting live with Blain Ensley on WNEW during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
In July 2002, Carton began co-hosting The Jersey Guys show on WKXW. The show was nominated for a Marconi Award as the top mid-market talk show in the country.
Carton left WKXW in August 2007 for a morning opening at New York's WFAN as Boomer Esiason's co-host, replacing Imus in the Morning. The Boomer and Carton show reached number one (men 25–54) in the Arbitron ratings within a year, a ranking that Imus had not achieved since 1993.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/arts/13carton.html |work=The New York Times |first=Vincent M. |last=Mallozzi |title=WFAN's Craig Carton Gets Ready for MSG Network |date=September 12, 2010}} The show was simulcast on MSG Network from 2010 to 2013 and also on the CBS Sports Network starting in 2014.{{cite web|title=Boomer & Carton 'Joining' CBS Sports Network in Simulcast Form|url=http://www.bobsblitz.com/2013/12/boomer-carton-joining-cbs-sports.html|publisher=Bob's Blitz|access-date=December 2, 2013}} Boomer and Carton became the top-ranked show in New York, was nominated for multiple Marconi Awards and won several Cynopsis Media awards as the nation's top major-market sports-talk show.
In 2012, Carton hosted Spike's MMA Uncensored Live.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Carton and Esiason announced a 2013 NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards.{{cite web|url=http://sportsrantz.com/media/2013/03/09/net-worth-boomer-and-carton-shine-working-brooklyn-nets-radio-broadcast-on-wfan/|title=Net Worth: Boomer And Carton Shine Working Brooklyn Nets Radio Broadcast On WFAN - Diamond Joe's Media Rantz|website=SportsRantz.com|access-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314010247/http://sportsrantz.com/media/2013/03/09/net-worth-boomer-and-carton-shine-working-brooklyn-nets-radio-broadcast-on-wfan/|archive-date=March 14, 2013|url-status=dead}}
=Arrest and conviction=
On September 6, 2017, Carton was arrested by federal agents at his home in New York City on criminal charges of securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit those offenses. Carton, Michael Wright, Dean Heiser and Joseph Meli were alleged to have defrauded $4.8 million from investors by falsely claiming that the group had access to millions of dollars of face-value concert tickets through nonexistent agreements with concert promoters. Although Carton proved in court via witness testimony and the Government also confirmed that he had bought the tickets in question, a parallel civil complaint filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that Carton used some of the funds from a ticket investor for gambling and only purchased the tickets at a later date.{{cite web|date=September 6, 2017|title=SEC.gov - Radio Host Charged With Concert Ticket Investment Scam|url=https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2017-157|access-date=September 12, 2017|website=www.SEC.gov}}{{cite web|date=September 6, 2017|title=SEC.gov Complaint USDC-SDNY 07Cv06746 Filed 09/06/2017|url=https://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/2017/comp-pr2017-157.pdf|access-date=September 12, 2017|website=SEC.gov}}{{cite news|last1=Bekiempis|first1=Victoria|date=September 6, 2017|title=Craig Carton, 'Boomer & Carton' co-host, arrested by FBI over alleged $5.6M ticket scam to pay his gambling debts|work=NY Daily News|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/craig-carton-boomer-carton-co-host-arrested-fbi-article-1.3473530|access-date=September 6, 2017}} Trial testimony further proved that Carton had no existing gambling debt at the time when the alleged fraud was perpetrated. The question became whether his credit-card purchase of the tickets five weeks after he had allegedly misappropriated the funds that he had received for ticket purchases constituted fraud. Carton's lawyers argued that money is fungible and, as such, the manner in which Carton had purchased the tickets was not significant as long as he actually purchased them as he claimed. The jury accepted the government's version of events, and based on the evidence found Carton guilty.
After receiving an indefinite suspension from WFAN, Carton resigned from the station on September 13, 2017, ending his ten-year stint as co-host of Boomer and Carton and leaving Esiason as the sole host. Carton made the decision to give his former show "the best opportunity to succeed without further disruption."{{cite web|last=Greene|first=Leonard|date=September 13, 2017|title=Craig Carton resigns from WFAN show amid Ponzi scheme charges|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/craig-carton-resigns-wfan-show-ponzi-scheme-charges-article-1.3494228|access-date=September 13, 2017|work=New York Daily News}} On March 29, 2018, Carton returned to radio as host of Carton & Friends on FNTSY Sports Network. In May 2018, Sports Byline USA acquired rights to syndicate the program on terrestrial radio.{{Cite news|title=Focus 360, Sports Byline USA To Syndicate Craig Carton|language=en|work=All Access|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/176729/focus-360-sports-byline-usa-to-syndicate-craig-car|access-date=2018-05-21}}{{Cite news|last=Grossman|first=Evan|title=Craig Carton set for radio return with launch of 'Carton and Friends'|language=en-US|work=New York Daily News|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/craig-carton-set-radio-return-launch-carton-frie-article-1.3900373|access-date=2018-05-21}}
Carton was convicted of fraud on November 7, 2018, in Manhattan federal court after a week-long trial. Sentencing was scheduled for February 27, 2019,{{Cite web | agency=Associated Press|date=November 7, 2017|title=Former WFAN Radio Host Craig Carton Convicted of Fraud|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2018/11/07/craig-carton-convicted-fraud-ponzi-scheme-trial|access-date=December 28, 2018|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{Cite news|title=Ex-WFAN host Craig Carton convicted in Ponzi scheme|language=en|work=Newsday|url=https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/wfan-craig-carton-trial-1.23044675#user=|access-date=2018-11-07}} before being delayed until March 15.{{Cite news|title=CRAIG CARTON TO BE SENTENCED MARCH 15 FOR PONZI SCHEME|url=http://www.ampthemag.com/the-thr33/the-thr33-eventbrite-expands-into-asia-craig-carton-faces-sentencing-spectra-promotes-brent-harrison/}} Carton was sentenced on April 5 to three and a half years in prison and ordered to make restitution of $4.8 million.{{cite web|last=Kratch|first=James|date=April 5, 2019|title=Ex-WFAN host Craig Carton sentenced for ticket brokering scam
Carton was released from prison to a halfway house on June 23, 2020, and ultimately to home confinement. While in federal prison, he completed a 500-hour cognitive behavioral therapy course that made him eligible for release.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-23|title=SU alum Craig Carton released from prison early, may return to radio (report)|url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2020/06/su-alum-craig-carton-released-from-prison-early-may-return-to-radio-report.html|access-date=2020-12-14|website=Syracuse}} Carton served his entire sentence and was released from federal custody on June 8, 2021.
= Return to WFAN =
On October 29, 2020, it was announced that Carton would return to WFAN, hosting the afternoon drive Carton & Roberts with Evan Roberts (replacing the retiring Joe Benigno) beginning November 9.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=Craig Carton returning to WFAN as co-host of new 'Carton & Roberts' Show|url=https://www.radio.com/wfan/sports/craig-carton-returning-to-wfan-on-carton-and-roberts-show|access-date=2020-10-29|website=www.radio.com}} On December 10, 2020, it was also announced that Carton would host a weekly program airing Saturday mornings beginning January 9 called Hello, My Name Is Craig on which he would discuss problem gambling.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-12|title=Craig Carton to host gambling addiction show "Hello, My Name Is Craig" on WFAN|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/radio/craig-carton-to-host-gambling-addiction-show-hello-my-name-is-craig-on-wfan.html|access-date=2020-12-14|website=Awful Announcing}}
In its first full ratings-book period, the new show was the highest-rated afternoon-drive sports-talk show in New York City.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
In September 2022, Carton began hosting The Carton Show on weekday mornings for Fox Sports 1, while continuing to co-host his afternoon show with Roberts on WFAN.{{cite web |last1=Glasspiegel |first1=Ryan |title=Details emerge on new Craig Carton show, Fox Sports shakeup |url=https://nypost.com/2022/08/31/details-on-new-craig-carton-show-fs1-shakeup/ |publisher=The New York Post |access-date=8 January 2023 |date=31 August 2022}}
In June 2023, Carton announced his departure from WFAN, effective June 30, to focus on his new Fox Sports 1 morning show.{{cite web | title=Craig Carton, WFAN radio host, leaving show but will stay on FS1 show | website=USA TODAY | date=June 15, 2023 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2023/06/15/craig-carton-leaving-wfan-radio-show-stay-on-fs1/70325313007/ | access-date=June 17, 2023 | page=}}
Controversy and stunts
=610-WIP=
- On February 28, 1997, Carton reported that Philadelphia Flyers captain Eric Lindros had missed a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 15 because he was hung over. Carton claimed that the Flyers' reason (a sore back) for Lindros missing the game was a cover-up. The Flyers immediately sued WIP,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/06/sports/devils-keep-zooming-ahead-hoping-to-pass-flyers.html|title=Devils Keep Zooming Ahead, Hoping to Pass Flyers|first=Alex|last=Yannis|date=March 6, 1997|access-date=September 12, 2017|newspaper=New York Times}} resulting in an out-of-court settlement. Two years later, Flyers ownership admitted that the allegation was actually true.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvovermind.com/five-things-didnt-know-craig-carton/|title=Five Things You Didn't Know About Craig Carton|first=Aiden|last=Mason|date=September 7, 2017|access-date=February 5, 2022}}
=WFAN=
- On January 18, 2008, Carton walked the Brooklyn Bridge holding a sign reading "Any Given Sunday"{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/world-nuts-giants-packers-blog-entry-1.1658401|title=The whole world's going nuts over Giants-Packers|author=Vacchiano, Ralph|work=New York Daily News |access-date=February 23, 2008|date=January 16, 2008}} and wearing only a Speedo and a New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey jersey{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/01/18/2008-01-18_wfan_host_craig_cartons_long_march_after.html|title=WFAN host Craig Carton's long march after losing bet with Boomer Esiason|author=Boyle, Christina|work=New York Daily News|access-date=February 23, 2008|date=January 19, 2008}} after betting that the New York Giants would lose to the Dallas Cowboys in the 2008 NFL playoffs. He duplicated the stunt on January 8, 2010, after betting that the New York Jets would miss the playoffs.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/Radio-Host-Singing-Thong-Song-For-Jets-80623937.html|title=Radio Host Baring All for Jets|website=NBCNewYork.com|date=January 4, 2010 |access-date=September 12, 2017}}
=Criticism of Steve Kerr=
- On April 24, 2025, Carton posted a tweet on Twitter that was highly critical of Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, stating that Kerr "seemingly supports" antisemitic incidents at Harvard University due to Kerr's support of Harvard pushing back against president Donald Trump's demands.{{Citeweb|url=https://x.com/craigcartonlive/status/1915470364496323035|title=Craig Carton on X:|publisher=Twitter|quote=Fascinating to me that Steve Kerr doesn’t like the Houston crowd chanting “F You” towards Draymond Green but seemingly supports anti-Semitic chants and threats hurled towards Jewish students on The Harvard campus. And has publicly supported the Harvard administration in doing nothing to make their campus safer.|date=April 24, 2025|accessdate=April 24, 2025}}{{Citeweb|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/4/16/24409781/steve-kerr-harvard-trump-warriors-nba|title=Steve Kerr praises Harvard for ‘standing up to the bully’ in President Trump|last=Dator|first=James|publisher=SB Nation|date=April 16, 2025|accessdate=April 24, 2025}}
Awards
- Talkers Magazine has named Carton the second-most important and influential sports talk-show host in the nation each year in its "Heavy Hundred Sports Talk Show List." Carton has also been listed among top 40 most important and influential talk-show hosts in the country for ten straight years.
[http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48728665_radio_boomer_esiason_craig_carton_host_morning_drive_wfan_am_new_york Boomer Esiason, Craig Carton to Host Morning Drive on WFAN-AM in New York] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701041646/http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48728665_radio_boomer_esiason_craig_carton_host_morning_drive_wfan_am_new_york |date=July 1, 2009 }} All American Patriots
- PoliticsNJ.com named Carton the ninth-most politically influential personality in New Jersey in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://politickernj.com/politicsnj-com-power-list-2007-9715|title=PoliticsNJ.com Power List 2007|date=June 20, 2007|website=PolitickerNJ|access-date=September 12, 2017}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Carton, Craig}}
Category:American people convicted of fraud
Category:American sports radio personalities
Category:Jewish American sports journalists
Category:New Rochelle High School alumni
Category:People from New Rochelle, New York
Category:People with Tourette syndrome
Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government
Category:S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications alumni