NEW YORK, NY — For nearly four decades, WFAN has been woven into the fabric of New York sports culture. From heated Yankees and Mets debates to unforgettable Knicks playoff runs, the station helped shape the voice of sports talk radio in America. But in a rapidly changing media landscape dominated by podcasts, livestreams, and digital creators, a new generation of personalities are beginning to redefine what sports radio sounds like.
Among them is Al Cintron better known to listeners as “Tio Al.”
Cintron’s rise at WFAN did not come through traditional media pathways. He did not arrive with a journalism degree or years inside a newsroom. Instead, he built his reputation through authenticity, social media consistency, and his unmistakably New York personality that resonated with listeners across the city.
Spike Eskin, who served as Vice President of Programming for WFAN and CBS Sports Radio from 2021 through early 2024, gave Cintron his first opportunity on the station after hearing the passion and energy in a self-produced radio demo.
That opportunity would change everything.
Al Cintron, an avid sports fan who grew up in Queens, NY, is redefining what sports radio sounds like during each and every late night shift at WFAN – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
During his first appearances on WFAN in May of 2023, Cintron opened his overnight show with a now-signature line that immediately connected with listeners:
“WAKE YOUR A** UP! IT’S YOUR FAVORITE TIO AL CINTRON!”
And for many listeners—particularly Latino New Yorkers—it was a voice they had not often heard on one of the nation’s most iconic sports radio stations.
Cintron’s appeal stems from his relatability. Before stepping into sports media, he worked in hospitality and as a doorman, experiences he says helped him stay grounded and connected to everyday people.
“I’m always gonna be me,” Cintron said in an exclusive interview with Latino Sports. “Whether it’s good or bad, I’m always gonna be me.”
That honesty has become central to his identity on air. Unlike the combative sports radio stereotypes that often dominate the format, Cintron approaches listeners more like neighborhood friends than callers to debate or belittle.
“The listeners, the people on social media, the fans—they tell me that I’m New York,” he said. “And that’s why they rock with me.”
Cintron credits his father for introducing him to sports at a young age, growing up as a fan of the Knicks, Mets, and Washington Commanders. He also spoke candidly about navigating his Puerto Rican identity at a young age while growing up in predominantly white neighborhoods, where he experienced racism early.
Despite those experiences, he never distanced himself from his culture.
“I never, ever denied being Puerto Rican,” Cintron said. “And I appreciate my culture and the passion and the energy that we bring to everything we do.”
His journey into sports media accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he began creating content more aggressively online after years of blogging on and off. Eventually, a direct message from Eskin asking for a 30-minute demo opened the door to WFAN.
Al Cintron’s passion and fandom for sports rings through radios all over the Tri-state area each time he hosts the WFAN overnight shift – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
Today, many listeners view him as a representation of modern New York sports fandom, passionate, unfiltered, hardworking, and culturally connected.
Whether speaking to overnight workers heading home from long shifts or fans debating New York sports online, Cintron has carved out a lane uniquely his own.
As sports media continues evolving, Latino Sports proudly recognizes Al Cintron as part of the future of sports radio in New York and beyond.
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Alex
May 15, 2026 at 8:43 pm
I love this profile piece! Please keep highlighting Latinx individuals in the sport industry like this. Hector did a spectacular job!