Anthony Weiner's plan B is a media career

Anthony Weiner reportedly scouted media gigs months before launching his unsuccessful campaign for New York City mayor.

As early as February 2013, before Weiner indicated a return to politics, he began reaching out to television and radio agents, including one known for top cable TV placements and representing many household names.

"He was exploring his options and what they were at the time and what they may be should he run an unsuccessful campaign," an insider told Politicker. "It just seemed that exploring his media options became a factor in running for mayor."

The disgraced former congressman's campaign got off to a healthy start, and he even took an early lead.

But Weiner's campaign crumbled amid revelations he continued sexting women under the pseudonym Carlos Danger long after resigning his seat in the House. Confrontational as ever, Weiner continued campaigning to the bitter end, when he flipped the bird at a reporter after his concession speech.

Since then, Weiner has offered punditry on the mayoral race and Democratic primary winner Bill de Blasio, and he gave Geraldo Rivera a radio interview last week. Speculation is mounting that Weiner's media gigs may lead to a career on the airwaves.

But while Weiner's attention-seeking and sensationalism may seem well-suited to a media career, an industry insider said his dismal fifth-place finish in the mayoral primary was "almost like doing a failed pilot. He’s going to need to demonstrate that he can still do this."