Mike Francesa re-joins WFAN after brief absence

Mike’s back. He’s ready to go. On the Fan, New York Sports Radio. Mike’s back. Yes the rumors are indeed true that Mike Francesa after only about a six month absence is returning to WFAN in the 3 pm – 7 pm Afternoon drive spot, replacing Carlin, Maggie, and Bart and pushing them up to the early afternoon slot.

While it may come as a surprise to some, Mongo nation (a group who follows Francesa religiously) knew that the time would come for The Pope to return. Francesa has never shied away from throwing his weight around, and this time it’s no different. However, it is a bit hypocritical for him to bash the station after he left and talk about all of his big future projects, then come back just months later in almost the same spot.

Mike says that he is rejoining the station out of spite, which probably means he saw The Michael Kay Show on ESPN above the Afternoon Drive in ratings. He says he is focused, ready to return to the mic and eager to talk some New York Sports again.

For those who don’t know much about Francesa or sports radio in general, WFAN was the Ferdinand Magellan of sports talk radio. They went into uncharted territory and started the first ever 24-hour radio station dedicated strictly to sports. Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo were two of the pioneers of WFAN, and there’s even a great 30 For 30 on them.

Regardless of how you feel about Francesa, as he’s been known to be unruly to callers and rude in general, he moves the needle more than anyone on sports radio. As he likes to say, “I invented radio row”. It’s always been a crazy relationship between Mike & The Fan, and this is just another chapter. There will definitely be some fireworks.

Mike’s on.