On Monday, we covered the suddenly swirling rumors that former WFAN host Mike Francesca might be returning back to the station he left in December. Now, there’s confirmation that he will indeed be returning, though the role has yet to be defined.
He just left WFAN four months ago, but is already on his way back, according to a few reports.
First, from the New York Post‘s Andrew Marchand:
Mike Francesa is returning to WFAN, and, sources say, the plan will be for him to be back on weekday afternoons.
While it is not yet clear how FAN will configure the afternoons, initial indications are Francesa’s replacements, Chris Carlin, Maggie Gray and Bart Scott, will not be let go, according to sources. They are expected to still be part of the afternoon schedule, although final plans of how the hours will be split up have not been communicated, according to sources.
According to Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News, that role will be a weekday show from 3-7 PM:
Francesa will be back in the 3 p.m.-7 p.m. slot, according to well-embedded Hudson Street (FAN Headquarters) rats. The sources said the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. slot will be divided between Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts, currently FAN’s 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. team, and CMB, aka Chris Carlin, Maggie Gray and Bart Scott, who replaced Francesa earlier this year.
Raissman also points out some of the inherent silliness involved, as well as the possibility of a poor reception for Francesa, who reportedly burned more than a few bridges on his way out:
Francesa “retired” from WFAN four months ago. During his “farewell” tour, he repeatedly said “no more FAN.”
…So he’s back, and as one WFAN source, told the Daily News: “If he came back here it would be a real s–t show. It’s no secret that he’s not well-liked.”
Sources did not indicate when tickets will go on sale for Francesa’s next farewell tour.
That’s certainly a short absence, and the possibility for internal drama is high. But then again, it’s sports radio. That’s kind of the whole point.
About Jay Rigdon
Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.