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WFAN's Francesa Claims CBS Threatened To Sue Over His Comments Regarding Simulcast

WFAN's Mike Francesa yesterday on his show said that CBS Radio, which owns the station, "wrote a letter earlier this month threatening to sue him if he spoke on the air about the show's ongoing TV simulcast problems," according to Neil Best of NEWSDAY. Francesa, whose simulcast again will be preempted by FS1 and FS2 most of this week, said that he "continues to work on a solution, and he accepted blame for what has been a rocky arrangement since it began in March." He added that he "received a letter from his company upon returning from vacation Sept. 2 saying he would be sued if he discussed the matter publicly." CBS Radio Senior VP/Communications Karen Mateo said, "There has been no discussion of any kind in regards to a lawsuit." After learning of Mateo's statement, Francesa said, "I was told not to say anything and I was handed a letter which in three different places says it will hold you liable and responsible for all the money in the agreement. That's a threat. It was deemed a threat by the people who looked at it" (NEWSDAY, 9/17). In N.Y., Bob Raissman notes despite Francesa’s "apparent omnipotence, his WFAN simulcast contract is negotiated by CBS Radio suits." Francesa is "not at the table." Naturally, as the "star of the show (and his own galaxy), Francesa is kept abreast of what’s happening and has input from the outside." But when Francesa "goes public with his gripes, it likely does not do anything to enhance the future of this already very tenuous simulcast relationship" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/17).

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