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SPORTSWATCH: A split decision?

Sources say rift between sports-talk icons Mike and the Mad Dog could spell the end of their show

Neil Best

June 22, 2008

"Mike and the Mad Dog," the most successful, influential show in sports talk radio history, could soon be history itself.

Barring a change of heart, the partnership between Mike Francesa and Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo is not expected to survive to see its 19th anniversary Sept. 5, industry sources with knowledge of the situation said.

They may have already done their final show together; their next scheduled broadcast is not until July 11.

It is not clear which host would remain on WFAN, only that it would not be both of them. One factor appears to be a fraying of their personal relationship in recent months.

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Reached on vacation last night, Francesa flatly said, "No comment."

Russo, meanwhile, denied knowledge of a potential breakup, and said that his contract, including a no-compete clause, runs through October of 2009.

"That is news to me," he said. "I have not heard that...That is fascinating information."

Later, he added, "The only thing I can say is I am signed under contract for another year and a half. I don't think WFAN is going to let me out of that...I wish I had leverage like that."

Operations manager Mark Chernoff said last night, "They are under contract, and we expect to have a nice, long run with 'Mike and the Mad Dog.'"

The reasons for a potential breakup are not entirely clear, and likely are multifaceted.

Each host has had other media opportunities, and would have no trouble getting another lucrative job. And there are ways of getting out of contracts early under certain circumstances.

Clearly, though, their relationship is one element in the drama. Several WFAN staffers have observed them feuding off the air in recent months.

On the air, Francesa and Russo have had some spirited arguments, but nothing out of the ordinary for talk radio. Still, avid listeners had been closely monitoring the show for signs of a rumored rift.

Those signs were subtle, such as Francesa declining to ask Russo how he is after Russo had opened the show by inquiring into Francesa's well-being.

But beneath the surface, what had grown from a rocky start in the early 1990s into a close friendship appears to have deteriorated.

Russo did confirm strains in the hosts' relationship, saying, "I think we've been going through that," but he added, "I think we've been fine the last couple of months."

While Russo said he is under contract through '09, Francesa's status is murky. Newsday reported earlier this year he had agreed to terms on a new deal beyond this calendar year, but there never was confirmation it was signed.

Francesa has a Sunday night television show on WNBC-TV, and Russo also has done TV work, including appearing as a guest on "Late Show With David Letterman."

They are believed to be among the highest paid sports talk radio hosts in the country. In 2005, New York Magazine reported Francesa made $1.4 million and Russo made $1.3 million.

The demise of "Mike and the Mad Dog," a consistent ratings powerhouse in the key demographic of men ages 25-54, would be the second blow to WFAN in as many years.