3 minute read
Broomall Native John Kincade Returns to Philadelphia Sports Radio
People in Places feature by Holly Stupak
Photos courtesy of John Kincade
Growing up in Broomall, John Kincade was always a big fan of the local Philadelphia sports teams. Now, after 20+ years of hosting radio shows in Atlanta, John is back to his Philadelphia-area roots.
In January, John was named the new morning host on 97.5 The Fanatic, and his show is officially called The John Kincade Show.
John Kincade, new host of 'The John Kincade Show' (mornings on 97.5 The Fanatic)
John grew up on Malin Rd in Broomall with his parents and two older siblings. After attending St. Anastasia School and then graduating from Cardinal O’Hara, he went on to Temple University where he graduated with a degree in Radio/Television and Film. While at Temple, John worked as a college intern for the Flyers (his favorite Philadelphia sports team!), helping incorporate video highlights and statistics for the coaches.
After graduating from college, John didn’t immediately go into radio broadcasting. In his late 20s, he began working in sales and marketing for a Malvern-based company called Shared Medical Systems (SMS; now Siemens). “I had a passion for radio,” said John, “but at the time, I was making a good living in sales and I was good at it. I wasn’t quite ready to give up that lifestyle.”
During that time, John had another passion: hockey, which came from his time working with the Flyers. He decided to use some of the skills he had learned while working as an intern for Flyers Coach Mike Keenan, and he became a high school hockey coach in Chester County.
For many years, John said he was “burning the candle at both ends.” While working at SMS and coaching hockey, he also took on sports radio gigs, including one at WIP-610. Then, in 1995, when he moved to Atlanta to continue working for SMS, he also continued working weekends in sports radio at a local station.
In 1997, John made a major career change: He left his job at SMS to pursue a full-time career in sports radio. While in Atlanta, John hosted a show called Buck and Kincade and also shows for ESPN and CBS Sports, including The John Kincade Show. He also co-hosted a podcast with Shaquille O’Neal called The Big Shaq. “I couldn’t believe a kid from Broomall got to partner with one of the most famous athletes in the world,” said John. “It was definitely a career highlight for me!” When John’s radio show ended in Atlanta in 2020, he found a new radio home back in Philadelphia. “This opportunity was too good to pass up,” he said. And so far, the reaction to John’s radio show has been great. “It helps that people know me as a Philly guy!”
The Kincade family’s 2-year-old puppy, Nick “Nicky” Foles, guarding the privacy of the Kincade Family
John and his wife Cristina have been married for 19 years. They have a 17-year-old daughter, Olivia, and a 2-year-old Shih-Tzu whom they named Nick “Nicky” Foles. Although Cristina and Olivia plan on staying in Atlanta while Olivia finishes high school, John said they cannot wait to move to the Philadelphia area.
Giving to his community and lending his voice to good causes is another of John’s passions. A two-time cancer survivor, John has been raising money for the National Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the past 20 years. Through his charity work, including an annual event called “Strike Out Leukemia & Lymphoma Radiothon,” he has been able to help raise $2.2 million.
Since January, John has been busy getting re-acclimated to the Philadelphia area, getting to know his team and launching the new show.
