Macnow takes WIP hiatus amid contract dispute

WIP host Glen Macnow left his afternoon co-hosting stint yesterday, citing a contract dispute for his early departure. Macnow's contract is up at the end of the year, and he's currently in negotiations.

"As I said on the air, my contract with WIP is finishing up. WIP management and I have agreed that I should take some time off the air until my contract situation at the station is resolved," Macnow told me via email. "I just finished my 20th year at the station. Just let me say that I've cherished the opportunity to work with three great partners in Jody McDonald, Ray Didinger and Anthony Gargano. I love the people at WIP and I particularly love the Philadelphia fans I get to talk with every day. I hope to continue talking with them."

Before his stint at WIP, Macnow was a sports reporter at the Inquirer. He did the preshow game at the Linc on Sunday before the Eagles-Lions game and was still scheduled to be on-air, according to CBS' website.

When I asked Macnow why he left yesterday before the show was over (at 4:40 p.m. to be exact), Macnow said he wanted to allow Gargano time to segue into the "Howie Roseman Show." "I actually wanted to do it as unobtrusively as possible, just to let people know what was going on," Macnow said yesterday. "And I certainly didn't want to not work today after that great Eagles game yesterday. I live for shows like today."

Macnow told me he had accrued a lot of vacation and planned to use it.

"It is our intention to keep the substance of our conversation private while we are in active discussions," said Marc Rayfield, CBS Radio Philadelphia's senior vice president and marketing manager. "Glen is a great friend to WIP and it is our hope that he is a member of our team for years to come."

Gargano will host solo until Macnow's contract is negotiated.

Tickets for Wing Bowl 22, the annual bacchanalia of chicken consumption and scantily clad ladies, go on sale today at 9 a.m. via WingBowl22.com/Tickets or ComcastTIX.com, by calling 800-298-4200 or in person at the Wells Fargo Center. This year, the Wing Bowl will feature a collegiate division for young bucks who want to prove their mettle before taking on the (literal) big guys.

Last year's victor, Jamie "The Bear" McDonald of Granby, Conn., will be back for round two on Jan. 31 at 6 a.m. to defend his title.

* Aaron Murray, boyfriend of much-buzzed-about "Good Day Philadelphia" traffic reporter Kacie McDonnell and starting QB for the University of Georgia, stopped by to watch the Eagles take down the Lions in Sunday's snowy game. Eagles cornerback Brendon Boykin was excited to see his former teammate, tweeting a photo of the two of them decked out in Eagles gear (Boykin was wearing his uni, while Murray opted for a scarf).

* Rapper Flo Rida showed up to Q102's Jingle Ball on Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center decked head to toe in vintage-y Flyers gear. I asked him why he was going full-fledged for the orange and black and he told me it was to give thanks to long-supportive Philly fans. But that wasn't all Mr. Rida walked away with from the Mitchell & Ness flagship store (1201 Chestnut St.). The "Right Round" rapper purchased Penny Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning Miami Heat jerseys, a Shaquille O'Neal Orlando Magic jersey, a white '98 Michael Jordan All-Star Game jersey and a black Michael Jordan '95 to '96 pinstripe jersey.

'Tis the season for hideous outerwear. At least this time it's for a good cause. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society hosts the third annual Cancer is Ugly! Ugly Sweater Party, where the most odious of knitwear will be rewarded, this Saturday at City Tap House (3925 Walnut St.). Celebrity judges include our own Street Style/Party Person Reuben "Big Rube" Harley, Marisa Magnatta of "Preston & Steve," Dr. Mike Cirigliano of "Good Day Philadelphia," Philly.com/CSN.com's Maria Papadakis and fashion writer/personal stylist Ian Michael Crumm. The event is from 7 to 10 p.m., with $50 tickets benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Twitter: @PhillyGossipDN