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Mike Francesa Floats Idea Of Leaving WFAN To Focus On App

Francesa returned to WFAN in May, but has yet to sign a new contract with the stationGETTY IMAGES

Mike Francesa has "opened the door" to a "potential departure from WFAN to focus solely" on his app, according to Neil Best of NEWSDAY. Francesa said the dual role has "become overly complicated." He said when he returned to the airwaves earlier this year, he "did so to utilize my WFAN base to promote my new app." Francesa: "In negotiations and applications it has become overly complicated. That is one reason why we still don’t have a (contract) deal." More Francesa: "I returned to restore FAN’s sagging ratings and revenues. That I have done in top-rated fashion. But it is awkward and there are conflicts. If I leave one, it will be the FAN. But I want it known, I really like the Entercom people. I won’t hurt them, nor will I hurt the FAN." Francesa earlier yesterday "abruptly brought up the subject late in a monologue that primarily focused on Madison Square Garden’s decision to ban its personnel from stations owned by Entercom, WFAN’s parent company, after critical comments by Maggie Gray in August" aimed at James Dolan (NEWSDAY, 10/23). In N.Y., Andrew Marchand notes the fall ratings book is "looked upon as the measuring stick between" Francesa and ESPN Radio 98.7 N.Y.’s Michael Kay. Francesa has "never lost to Kay in the ratings." But he said that it "hasn’t been easy returning to FAN after he unseated" Gray, Chris Carlin and Bart Scott in the "coveted late-afternoon spot." Francesa: "I knew it was going to be uncomfortable, but maybe it’s been more uncomfortable than I thought. Probably has been" (N.Y. POST, 10/23).

MORE THAN WAR OF WORDS: The POST's Marchand notes Entercom's ban includes "Knicks and Rangers players, as well as MSG broadcasters and personnel." Gray's "very personal rant" was "brought on because Dolan, with his band, JD and the Straight Shot, released a song called, 'I Should’ve Known,' perceived to be about" film producer Harvey Weinstein. Gray "thought it was hypocritical in light of the Garden having been found liable for a hostile work environment in the Anucha Browne Sanders sexual harassment suit" in '07. Gray last week "apologized on-air for the rant’s personal nature, but not for its content." Francesa yesterday "sided with Dolan criticizing Gray ... saying she went 'too far' and was 'trying to get noticed.'” He also "went after" Kim Kerns, the replacement for former MSG Exec VP & Chief Communications Officer Barry Watkins. Francesa: "The fact that after (WFAN and Entercom) do apologize, the Garden acted that way tells me that whoever is giving Jim Dolan his PR advice now is making a grave error and really made a dumb mistake." Both the Knicks and Rangers air on ESPN Radio N.Y., and the two stations have "long fought over guests for the respective teams they broadcast, wanting exclusivity" (N.Y. POST, 10/23). The Athletic's Richard Deitsch tweeted, "Francesa selling out Maggie Gray for Jim Dolan. A disgrace, Not unexpected, but a disgrace all the same." Newark Star-Ledger's Steve Politi: "Francesa sounds like an out-of-touch rambling dinosaur while the show his ridiculous comeback replaced in drive time, with @MaggieGray, is setting the agenda in this town" (TWITTER.com, 10/23).

STILL DETAILS TO COME? In N.Y., Bob Raissman reports no one "associated with FAN, at least in an official capacity, is saying Gray was forced to apologize." However, Raissman and other sources believe she was forced to do so. No one in FAN/Entercom management was "inclined to try and smooth things out with Dolan, so the suits hung Gray out to dry." WFAN execs know Gray is "vulnerable," as she, Carlin and Scott are "far from having a lock on job security" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/23).

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