From Neil Best of Newsday comes a report that famed sports talk hosts Mike Francesa and Chris Russo may have reached their end as the preeminent sportsradio machine in the country. Apparently, their personal differences have reached unbearable heights as of late and one of the two media giants will move on to another gig:Barring a change of heart, the partnership between Mike Francesa and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo is not expected to survive to see its 19th anniversary Sept. 5, industry sources with knowledge of the situation said.Say what you want about the frustrating duo, the show has long provided New Yorkers with great baseball coverage, interviews and breaking news. In recent years there had been many rumors regarding a potential M&MD break-up - including buzz that Russo would join ESPN - but this particular report seems to have some credibility.
They may have already done their final show together; their next scheduled broadcast is not until July 11.
It is not clear which host would remain on WFAN, only that it would not be both of them. One factor appears to be a fraying of their personal relationship in recent months.
Reached on vacation Saturday night, Francesa flatly said, "No comment."
Russo, meanwhile, denied knowledge of a potential breakup, and said that his contract, including a no-compete clause, runs through October of 2009.
Sunday's updated post from Best did not change tenure and maintains the belief that "this matter will play itself out relatively quickly." In other words, the M&MD split is imminent, according to the Newsday columnist.
7 comments:
I disagree with them a lot but I still listen to them everyday. Hope they arent done bc it is a great source of sports information personal differences aside
Though there is not much to go on in this article [upfront sources, solid quotes], Best is a credible writer. There's always the possibility that M&MD are using the media to drive up their price for new upcoming contracts. The players do it, why wouldn't the media?
I disagree with them quite a bit also,but I have to admit that they do provide some interesting talk. However, I will not miss their stupid one sided opinions and pompous attitude. MD is a guy that hates everything NY, be it Mets or Yanks. He is a Giants fan that is still upset that they moved to San Fran, but he wants and needs the limelight.
Mike is a Yankees fan that feels that he knows how to run a team better than anyone and that he basically knows it all. He and MD felt that Joba should stay in the pen and that joe and brian are clueless.
These 2 do have purposes for the personalities they portray on the show - to get the listener to continue listening. I don't think these 2 as individuals will work as well as a pair. We shall see.
Deadspin has picked up this story today as well: http://deadspin.com/5021276/mike-and-the-mad-dog-divorce-inevitable
with Russo's comments available at http://www.youtube.com/bobmantzradio
Doesn't sound good for M&MD.. but I repeat I would not be surprised if this was merely a negotiating ploy.
I totally agree with Clay on this one. It sounds like guerrila negotating to me because no doubt the pair have had some off-air issues, but it's never been enough to ruin the cash cow that has become that program.
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