WFAN-AM host Mike Francesa is profiled by NEWSDAY's Neil Best, who noted that after 25 years at the station, Francesa has "become an iconic New York lightning rod." Francesa said, "The one good thing is nobody has ignored me. You don't have to have them love you. You don't have to have them hate you. You just have to have them want to listen to you no matter what." Best noted it has been 5 1/2 years since Francesa and former co-host Chris Russo "broke up, yet Francesa has maintained his ratings dominance." Francesa said, "There are a lot of people in that company (CBS, which owns WFAN) who would like to boot me out in the street." He is "leaning toward retiring in four years, but that could change" (NEWSDAY, 3/16). The TV simulcast of Francesa's show is set to debut next Monday on FS1 and FS2 after 10 years on YES Network, and in N.Y., Bob Raissman notes if Fox Sports execs are counting on Francesa "to close the viewership gap between FS1/2 and ESPN ... they need the Pope to pull a Hail Mary." Fox Sports execs have "provided Francesa the 'opportunity' to go head-to-head and conquer ESPN on the TV side" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/16).
