Joseph Field Biography and Net Worth

Joseph Field is the founder and chairman of Entercom Communications. 

In 1967, while managing the acquisition of Philadelphia radio station—WPEN-AM/FM—for a client, then-attorney Field became aware of valuation discrepancies between AM and FM. The AM opportunity was valued between $4.5 million and $5.5 million while the FM opportunity was valued at $500,000 despite advances in FM audio transmission technology and newly affordable radios. 

Field founded Entercom Communications in 1968 to invest in FM broadcasting while the medium was still in its infancy. Following his acquisition of FM radio stations in Houston, Minneapolis, and San Francisco, FM broadcasting quickly surpassed AM to become the leading radio band setting the future success of Entercom. 

Field served as Entercom’s chairman and CEO for 34 years, and he took the company public in 1999. With the $236 million that was raised, Field purchased 43 radio stations, more than doubling the number of stations and markets that Entercom operated.

By the time he stepped down as Entercom’s CEO in 2002, the company owned and operated 101 radio stations in 19 of the country’s top markets. He continues to serve as its chairman. Today, Entercom—now Audacy—is the second largest radio broadcasting company with 230 stations in 47 markets. 

Field started his career by practicing law in New York and Philadelphia for 14 years. 

The radio founder is a member of the boards of directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, the Mary Louise Curtis Bok Foundation, the Curtis Institute of Music, the American Interfaith Institute, the Settlement Music School, the Jewish Education and Vocational Service, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, the National Liberty Museum, and the Radio Board of the National Association of Broadcasters. 

Field holds an LL.B. from Yale Law School and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.