Devan Kaney’s Unexpected Layoff
When Devan Kaney, a former host at WIP, got called in to meet with her manager, she thought they would talk about scheduling. But to her surprise, she learned that she was being laid off instead.
“I was naive to think I was valued more than I really was,” she reflected.
Kaney expressed her disappointment after spending four years with the organization, including over a year as the sideline reporter for the Eagles—a job she had dreamed of since childhood, given her fandom for the team.
She took over this role in 2024, replacing Howard Eskin, a well-known figure in Philadelphia sports, following allegations against him—allegations he denied.
Alongside her duties with the Eagles, Kaney contributed to one of WIP’s morning radio shows and had just signed a two-year extension with the network last year.
Despite her departure from WIP, Kaney noted that the budget for the sideline reporter role differs from the overall budget and expressed hope for a way to stay involved.
Additionally, she works as a weekend anchor and reporter at Fox 29 in Philadelphia. “I’ll really miss the chance to cover NFL teams,” Kaney said. “I loved working alongside Meryl Reese, Mike Quick, and producer Joe McPeak.”
Quick has been a mentor for Kaney, and she shared that the team reached out to support her after the layoff news broke.
Even if WIP doesn’t have openings, she remains optimistic about potential national opportunities. “I’m aiming high,” Kaney mentioned.
She acknowledged that local opportunities seem limited, especially after NBC Sports Philadelphia laid off its sideline reporters. Yet, she expressed a desire to cover national leagues like the NFL, MLB, and NBA.
Kaney isn’t alone; she’s one of two prominent sideline reporters affected by layoffs in the Philadelphia area, with NBC Sports Philadelphia also replacing Taryn Hatcher, its Phillies clubhouse reporter, citing a shift in their reporting approach.
Hatcher has since joined The CW and has been involved in covering the Pro Bowlers Association.
