New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said that he "pulled himself out of the running for any job as a sports-talk radio host on WFAN when he leaves office in January, confirming that he is no longer a candidate to succeed Mike Francesa," according to Brent Johnson of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Christie also disputed a report saying he was "axed from the field." The N.Y. Daily News on Saturday cited sources as saying that station execs "informed the brash-talking" Christie he was "out of the mix." However, Christie in a statement said the story is "completely incorrect." Christie said he was "approached by WFAN management three weeks ago 'to do additional shows with other potential co-hosts.'" Christie: "After considering the other options that I have been presented with for post-gubernatorial employment, I declined their request to do additional shows." He added, "I made station executives aware that while I would be happy to continue to fill in for Boomer [Esiason] when asked and when available, that they should no longer consider me as a candidate interested in any job at WFAN when I leave the governorship. I made that clear to them prior to leaving for my family vacation two weeks ago" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/21). In N.Y., Bob Raissman noted one new name that "recently surfaced as a possible candidate" is former Long Island-based, WBAB-AM host Gregg Hughes. Hughes also had been "working for SiriusXM" until last month, when he was terminated. However, a source said that Hughes is "not a candidate for Francesa’s job" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/20).
