Citadel Founder, Ex-BFoA Chair Phil Lombardo Dies

Updated at 5:55pm Eastern

Streamline Publishing has confirmed that Phil Lombardo, who served as NAB Joint Board Chairman for the National Association of Broadcasters; Chair of the Broadcasters Foundation of America philanthropic non-profit organization; and founded former TV station owner Citadel Communications, has passed away.

Lombardo was 88 years of age. He died Friday morning following a brief illness.

Under his leadership as Chairman between 2000 and 2015, the Broadcasters Foundation’s annual financial assistance grew from $60,000 to nearly $850,000. Lombardo served as its chair for 13 years.

Lombardo was most recently in the news in May 2023, when Citadel decided to part ways with a television station obtained with the indirect help of the Radio + Television Business Report. In March 2009, Lombardo stepped in to help an ailing 24/7 news channel — WSNN-LD in Sarasota, Fla., investing in “SNN.” This led to full ownership before Citadel agreed to sell it last year to Nexstar Media Group for $1 million. It followed a deal in 2013 that sent Nexstar Media Group and related company Mission Broadcasting all but WLNE and KLKN for $103.25 million.

This Citadel is not to be confused with the former Citadel Broadcasting, which today sees its radio station roster comprise a significant part of Cumulus Media’s stable of properties. Lombardo’s group, led by President/COO Ray Cole, included among its assets ABC affiliate WLNE-6 in Providence, R.I., and KLKN-TV in Lincoln, Neb. Today these stations are owned by Standard Media Group and led by Deb McDermott. Citadel pocketed $83 million from the sale, announced in May 2019. WLNE was obtained by Citadel in March 2011 for $4 million, thanks to a successful stalking horse bid submitted by Lombardo as part of a bankruptcy auction involving its previous owner.

“It would be impossible for me to quantify all that I learned from Phil Lombardo over the course of our nearly 40-year association,” said Cole. “Phil was a boss, a mentor, and a partner. Most of all, he was a dear friend who changed my life in immeasurable ways. While his impact on the broadcasting industry was vast and deep, Phil’s enduring legacy will be the vision and passion with which he led the Broadcasters Foundation of America. His contributions to its mission — helping fellow broadcasters in need — had no bounds. That commitment is sure to live on forever.”

Longtime radio and TV industry leaders are familiar with Lombardo from his tenure at the Broadcasters Foundation. This saw the January 2010 change of the charity’s famed annual golf tournament in Las Vegas “The Philip J. Lombardo Tournament.” In that role, he worked with the search committee in 2009 that brought the late Jim Thompson on board as BFoA President.

Lombardo’s broadcasting career began at WBBM-2 in Chicago as a production assistant. Rising through the ranks, he later moved to New York to take over Corinthian Broadcasting. After nine years, Lombardo resigned to start Citadel Communications in 1982.

NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt called Lombardo “a pioneer in the broadcasting industry,” with contributions “immense” and his influence widespread. “His passion for broadcasting set a standard that will continue to inspire generations to come,” LeGeyt said. “Phil’s leadership extended beyond his business achievements. His service as NAB joint board chair helped shape the future of our association and left an indelible mark on our industry. But his legacy will certainly be his work to help broadcasters in their times of greatest need, through the Broadcasters Foundation of America. I had the privilege of serving with him on the BFOA board and witnessing firsthand his unwavering dedication to the men and women of the broadcast industry, giving back to those who have given so much to our communities across the country. We extend our deepest condolences to Phil’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. His legacy will live on, and he will be deeply missed.”

Scott Herman, Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation, commented, “As Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation for many years, Phil left an indelible mark. He was passionate about our mission and one of our biggest donors, giving both time and money to helping colleagues in need.”

BFoA President Tim McCarthy told Radio Ink, “Phil was a legend in the industry, a tremendous businessman, but most importantly, he had an unparalleled commitment to broadcasters in need. He really, really cared.”

Upon stepping down from his role at the BFoA in 2016, Lombardo said, “It has been my great honor to give back to this industry that has been so good to me and to so many. Foundation recipients were hard-working broadcasters, committed to their stations and communities, and now destitute, often alone, and in need of our support. It has been the most rewarding endeavor of my career to serve our colleagues in need.”

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Philip J. Lombardo Memorial Fund, which will be established by the Broadcasters Foundation next week in honor of Lombardo’s dedication and service to the broadcasting industry and to the Foundation’s charitable cause.

— With reporting by Cameron Coats, in Troy, N.Y., and Renee Cassis in the City of New York