Philadelphia Eagles sideline reporter Devan Kaney was blindsided by her firing, and fans made their feelings about the decision very clear
18:24 ET, 04 Apr 2026
Devan Kaney served as the sideline reporter for the WIP's broadcasts of Philadelphia Eagles games since 2024
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Devan Kaney served as the sideline reporter for the WIP's broadcasts of Philadelphia Eagles games since 2024(Image: Getty)
Philadelphia Eagles sideline reporter Devan Kaney has been let go from her role at SportsRadio 94WIP as part of a wider round of layoffs at parent company Audacy, and the reaction from fans and colleagues in the city has been one of genuine shock and vocal support.
Kaney, who had been with the station since 2022 and took over as the Eagles' sideline reporter in December 2024 following Howard Eskin's departure, confirmed the news herself with a measured response.
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"I had a blast working at WIP and sincerely enjoyed my time there," the NFL reporter said. "But as the old saying goes, when one door closes, another opens." Meanwhile, ESPN was interrupted for breaking news in the NFL as Tom Brady made a huge move.
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It was a gracious exit for someone who had been a prominent presence across multiple WIP platforms, co-hosting the morning show and also fulfilling Phillies duties in addition to her NFL sideline role.
Kaney told bizjournals.com that she had only recently signed a two-year contract extension with the network and was blindsided when she was called in for what she assumed would be a scheduling conversation. "It was naive of me to assume I was more valued than I was," she said frankly.
She had also been publicly celebrating the end of the Eagles' season just weeks earlier, posting on Instagram that she was "so beyond grateful to get to do something I love week in and week out with such wonderful people," adding that she was "fairly certain a football field is my happy place."
Kaney also serves as an in-arena host for Philadelphia Flyers games at Xfinity Mobile Arena
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Kaney also serves as an in-arena host for Philadelphia Flyers games at Xfinity Mobile Arena(Image: Getty)
The fan reaction to her departure was immediate and pointed. "Only one I liked on that station," one supporter wrote.
Another was even more direct about the logic of the decision: "She could take over for the whole afternoon crew by herself and do better than them. Unreal." A third added: "Why? What's the reason? She is better than at least 1/4 of the on air personalities."
Kaney was equally generous about the professional relationships she built during her time covering the Eagles.
The Eagles fell to the 49ers in the Wild Card
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The Eagles fell to the 49ers in the Wild Card round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs(Image: Getty)
"I'm going to miss covering an NFL team," she said. "I loved working with Merrill, Mike 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."
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Kaney remains in Philadelphia, continuing her role as weekend anchor and reporter for Fox 29, and has not closed the door on remaining connected to the Eagles' sideline operation, noting that the Eagles' sideline reporter budget sits separately from WIP's broader budget. Further down the line, her ambitions are clear.
"I am going to aim really high," she said. "There are not a lot of opportunities locally. But I would love to do that for the NFL, MLB or NBA nationally."
The layoffs at Audacy have hit multiple markets across the United States, with the company also making changes in Houston, Cleveland, Seattle, and elsewhere. Kaney's dismissal comes alongside the exit of Phillies clubhouse reporter Taryn Hatcher from NBC Sports Philadelphia, making it a difficult week for prominent women in Philadelphia sports media.