WIP's Angelo Cataldi isn't done with radio just yet

Off and on for the past seven years, SportsRadio 94.1 WIP's Angelo Cataldi has been threatening to retire from his popular Angelo Cataldi and the Morning Team show, which he's hosted for nearly 30 years.

But despite emergency gallbladder surgery that knocked him off the air for nearly two weeks in November, Cataldi isn't ready to walk away from the microphone just yet.

WIP announced Wednesday morning that it has renewed the contract of its most marketable radio star. He will remain in his familiar role hosting the station's morning show alongside Al Morganti, Rhea Hughes and Keith Jones. Terms were not disclosed. His contract was set to expire at the end of the month.

"Is that even news after 28 years?" Cataldi said on Wednesday's show. "I looked in the mirror. I'm still here for another year."

Despite threats of retirement, Cataldi himself had been hinting lately that he'd be around longer. He's been pushing for contestants to compete in February in Wing Bowl, the 26th year of the popular glutinous event Cataldi created and hosts.

On Wednesday's show, Cataldi welcomed Wing Bowl 26 contestant number four, who goes by the name Winginitis and qualified by eating six burritos in 12 minutes live on the show.

Cataldi's decision to remain at the station is a relief to program director Spike Eskin, who already had to plug a big hole in his lineup last month when afternoon host Chris Carlin was plucked by WIP's sister station, WFAN in New York City, to join a three-man team replacing the retiring Mike Francesa. Fortunately, Eskin had stashed former 97.5 The Fanatic host Jon Marks in the evenings, and was able to slide him into the afternoon slot easily.

Cataldi remains a ratings powerhouse for WIP. During the 2017 summer ratings book, which uses data gathered for a three-month period to measure the popularity of stations and shows, Cataldi grew his ratings 22 percent over last year, easily outpacing rival Anthony Gargano at the Fanatic.

Last month, WIP also re-signed Eagles broadcasters Merrill Reese and Mike Quick as part of a seven-year deal that secured Eagles broadcast rights at the station through the 2024 season.

"Don, seven more years with us! What were you thinking?" Cataldi joked to Eagles president Don Smolenski, who revealed that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had sent Cataldi a note while he was recovering from gallbladder surgery that read, "I've always wished you the pain that you're currently enduring."