Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Making The Call: It Was Time For a Francesa/Russo Split
By
Peter Trinkle
Published Aug 17, 2008
Modified Aug 17, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Peter Trinkle
Published Aug 17, 2008
Modified Aug 17, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Imagine a world without sports radio. Many would say it would be a better place, but for those who live, breathe and die with their teams there is something cathartic about listening and participating in a discussion of the triumphs and tragedies that befall our favorite teams.
It wasn’t so long ago that a world without sports radio existed. It was 21 years ago that 1050AM in New York became WFAN, the nation’s first all-sports station. It wasn’t long after that that the station moved to 660 and that Mike Francesca and Chris Russo became the preeminent duo in the genre.
“Mike and The Mad Dog” appeared every afternoon from 1-6:30 and while you certainly didn’t agree with everything they said, it was compelling radio for most of its run. Mike provided the knowledge and Dog provided the attitude. It was entertaining and informative at the same time. But, like everything, age was not kind to the program. Mike became more and more dismissive of any opinion except his own. Chris’ rants against all things Yankees and Mets grew old and his tendency to just scream without thinking became too much to take.
So, their “divorce” this week with Mike staying at WFAN and Chris reportedly headed to satellite is not something that will be mourned in this corner. But, we owe them both a thank you for the format they helped create. Like it or not, sports radio is here to stay, something that will bring immense relief to fans across New York the next time the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Knicks or Nets make a stupid play.
Tagged
Chris Russo
Making The Call
Mike And The Mad Dog
mike francesca
sports
wfan
Peter Trinkle
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 4, 2026 at 11:03 a.m. ET
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
The state is currently struggling with a 56% vacancy rate among prison workers.
By
Emily Russell
News
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
The state is currently struggling with a 56% vacancy rate among prison workers.
By
Emily Russell
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
By
Jill Webb
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .