Mike Francesa, Chris Russo together again on WFAN
I'm back from vacation, and all appears well in WFAN's afternoon world: Mike Francesa and Chris Russo are on the radio together, seemingly getting along just fine.
Many blog and message board commenters have taken this as evidence that whatever problems there have been between them have blown over, and that they will be together for many years to come.
That's possible. But so far nothing done or said since June 22 has directly contradicted the story I wrote saying that barring a change of heart, there could be a breakup this summer.
As I indicated at the time, their relationship is only one factor. Probably a bigger one is that neither has a long-term contract, and both are believed to have lucrative offers from other media entities.
I don't know how all this is going to play out, but I do know it hasn't played out yet.
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Comments (8)
neil.follow the money.
Sounds like Neil is already slowly beginning to backtrack. The June story actually said,
"Barring a change of heart, the partnership between Mike Francesa and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo **is not expected to survive**..."
Now he says,
"But so far nothing done or said since June 22 has directly contradicted the story I wrote saying that barring a change of heart, **there could be a breakup this summer.**"
There's far more confidence behind the first statement. There's no doubt that Neil will fall back on the 'change of heart' explanation if and when this 'scoop' falls apart.
I think this write-up was much more fair and accurate.
http://mikeandthemadblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/reunion-press-coverage.html
I guess we'll see what happens. Interesting situation.
Holy Cow Fred! Given the fact that both Mike and the Mad Dog addressed this issue on the air, aren't you willing to take the quotes off the scoop? Clearly it was a scoop. Whether they stay together or not is the only question left, and like a good journalist/blogger, Best left himself some wiggle room on that.
Neil,
Is'nt it obvious that this a ruse designed to milk more money out of Chernoff?
Let's just entertain the notion that this is legitimate and that they have been bickering. Why on earth would you go public with it? There is no rationale for doing so. I don't buy it and think they have done very well at suckering the mouthbreathers and expect they will soon announce a rather nice new contract that will extend their radio program.
And by the way Mike, if your going to COOP my verbiage of "Three trick pony" when I refferred to WFAN by using "One trick Pony" during the Willie watch, at least give me credit for it!
Bye for now,
John
Yet another story that wasn't. That Mike and Chris addressed it on the air is only because Best and Newsday made it a big story (keep in mind it was a big story without a single named source).
The "nothing has directly contradicted..." line is the telltale sign the whole story was weak. But no sports-related writer is ever held accountable for anything...it's the cushiest gig in journalism.
GForce:
That G stand for Grudge? The only thing you are right about is that sports writing is one of the easiest pursuits a journalist can engage in.