With WFAN in crisis mode over its morning show, owner CBS Radio has two dayparts it has to take care of at its New York sports radio station. Following Craig Carton’s arrest and subsequent suspension last week, WFAN management is looking at gaping holes in its morning drive and afternoon drive shows.
Host Mike Francesa still plans on leaving in December, but now is reconsidering his original thoughts on departing. He told Newsday’s Neil Best that he’s keeping his options open:
“I will not turn my back on the station,” Francesa told Newsday. “Let’s see what the fall brings. I haven’t talked to anybody, but I know there are conversations ahead.
[…]
“I understand the question; it is fair,” Francesa said. “Right now there is nothing to report. The plan remains in place.”
So for now, Francesa still is on track to leave the station, but won’t rule out the idea of staying. WFAN has been home to Francesa dating back to the late 1980s, but as he plans his exit, CBS Radio has a decision to make on its morning show.
While Carton is on suspension, WFAN has had a series of co-hosts filling in with Boomer Esiason. And while this is ongoing, CBS Radio has to ensure that it doesn’t have two holes to fill with the morning show and Francesa.
The conventional wisdom is that CBS Radio will make an offer so Francesa can stay for the foreseeable future. Just when that will be is anyone’s guess, but for now, it appears that the ball is totally in Francesa’s court.
[Newsday]
