ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" marked its 15th anniversary with Friday's broadcast, and it has "risen to be one of the most popular shows on the sports network," according to Nina Mandell of USA TODAY. It has "grown from two guys on the radio to a daily radio and TV show aired on ESPN2 that’s hosted presidents, celebrities, athletes of course, and even Jerry Seinfeld." Co-host Mike Golic said that his "favorite moment of the show’s history was when they got to call an annual softball game at the White House." Co-host Mike Greenberg added that the duo’s first time on the "Late Show" with David Letterman was "another highlight." Greenberg: "Our relationship is excellent. We have literally never had a fight. We have never had a serious disagreement off the air ... and I think that is largely because we haven’t let a lot of that peripheral stuff get in the middle of it." He added, “You hear about partnerships where people really dislike each other. And having done this for 15 years now, I really don’t understand how they do that. I really don’t" (USATODAY.com, 3/4). Greenberg said during Friday's show, "I literally can’t believe as I sit here and look at some of the pictures ... that it has been 15 years. And I have been sitting and looking at (Golic) from this angle for 15 years.” Golic added, “We have been talking to each other more each day, I think, than even we talk to our spouses.” Greenberg: “When’s the last time you and your spouse sat down and just talked to each other for four hours? The answer is, most people say, never, or certainly not often. We’ve been doing that every day for 15 years” ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 3/6).
FIRST TIME, LONG TIME: Many current and former ESPN personalities littered Friday's show with congratulatory messages for Greenberg and Golic. ESPN’s Trey Wingo said in a recorded video, “No one thought it would last. Really, no one thought it would last.” ABC’s Robin Roberts also recorded a message, saying, “Let’s face it. Most marriages and relationships don’t last 15 years. ... It has been an absolute hoot watching you.” Former ESPN college football analyst Bill Curry called in and said, “You tease each other and people really enjoy that. But I think people tune in more often because you hit on substantive things and can handle them without pontificating too much.” ESPN’s Cris Carter appeared live on the show, sitting at the desk with Golic and Greenberg, said, “It’s amazing when you look at where you started, where you are, the show, the following and the impact that you have on how sports are being viewed. When people say they’re going to spend time with you in the morning, you guys don’t take it for granted. I’ve been working with you guys for years, and you guys are a credit to the profession. It’s one of the best shows in any business.” ESPN Exec VP/Production & Programming John Wildhack also showed up on the set. He said, “You have really been the sports show of record. You’re the first live content every morning. You set the sports agenda every day. You’ve entertained, you’ve informed and just really kind of revolutionized what sports radio is. So we congratulate you with that.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also offered their congratulations via recorded messages (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 3/6).
