The maestro has learned that longtime 97.5 host and producer Jon Marks plans to leave the station’s morning show when his contract is up on October 20.

Local sports talk radio insiders believe that Marks, who, like many others, has a 90-day non-compete clause in his contract, may eventually wind up at WIP – which has some openings in the afternoon… – in some capacity, but there’s nothing imminent on that front. Marks informed 97.5 management and Anthony Gargano of his plans last week, and has continued to appear on the show – finishing out his contract – at the request of Gargano.

For about the last week, Marks has been tweeting about a new site he’s started, PhillyFootballTalk.com, but it’s believed it’s not the reason for his decision to leave the station:

The show’s structure was unique in the sense that Gargano, update girl Maureen Williams, and Jamie Lynch had a prior history together, while Marks was new to the group, but it doesn’t sound like there was any sort of discord amongst Marks and his co-hosts. But obviously his decision to leave 97.5 shows that there was some level of unhappiness at the station. Sources say that it was ultimately Gargano’s decision to have Marks stick around until the end of his contract.

97.5 management did not respond to multiple requests for comment. MUSIC THERE: