Mike Francesa on the state of WFAN, radio and New York sports

Mike Francesa is the most important figure in WFAN’s nearly 40-year history. The retired afternoon host is aware of the changes the station has made this year — most notably Craig Carton returning for a third stint— but is comfortable watching it from his podcast perch after leaving WFAN for good in 2020.

“I don't comment on FAN — I never have since I left,” Francesa told Newsday on Thursday in a wide-ranging 15-minute telephone interview. “There's been a lot of change. But change is inevitable. It's a different era for FAN. It's a different era in the radio business. It has changed dramatically.

“Radio has not done a good job in handling where technology has gone. I think as a business, radio has done a disastrous job. I always felt that. I felt they never figured out how to monetize what was their relationship with the new media and they never really have. Radio is clearly hurting. There's no question about it. Clearly hurting in a big way. So it’s a very different world than it used to be.”

At age 71, Francesa’s professional world is his podcast for Rush Street Interactive that is tied to its BetRivers brand. Francesa hops on the pod when he has something to comment on, and New York sports gives him plenty to talk about.

“I like having the ability to respond and to react and to know that people can get my opinion,” he said. “Being able to do it conveniently from studios in my home is a big plus. The thing that wore me down more than anything else was not even doing the [WFAN] show. What wore me down was — I know I had a full-time driver and everything — but I still spent so many hours in the car. So being able to do this when I want, having the freedom and flexibility that the company I work for gives me and the relationship we have has made it very enjoyable. And my golf game’s improved, so that helps.”

Francesa started “The Mike Francesa Podcast” in 2022 and re-signed with the company in 2024. At that time, Richard Schwartz, the CEO of Rush Street Interactive, said in a statement: "We are delighted to have Mike Francesa, the undisputed 'King of New York' radio, renew his partnership with our BetRivers family of Brand Ambassadors. Our BetRivers audience will now be able to see and hear Mike every weekday!”

In the telephone interview on Thursday, Francesa also gave his thoughts on the hottest topics in New York sports:

On the Giants hiring John Harbaugh

“Harbaugh is a gift from the gods. I thought they needed a veteran, experienced, proven winner. I didn't think there was one out there that was suitable. I didn't want [Mike] McCarthy, and I'm not knocking McCarthy, but I don't think he was right for the Giants. The Giants need someone who's not afraid to change things, not afraid to be disciplined, and you can see already that Harbaugh is going to be that way. I think he's the perfect fit. I think they're going to be very successful, and I wouldn't be surprised if they made the playoffs next year."

On the J-E-T-S Mess! Mess! Mess!

“A disaster. I can't even get my arms around how bad this is, to allow a coach who was completely in over his head last year . . . and then he dismantles the entire coaching staff, and he's allowed to do that. It’s gone from bad to worse to almost unfathomable. There is no bottom with them.”

On if the Knicks can get Giannis Antetokounmpo

“I don't see Giannis. I think that's almost like pulling to an inside straight . . . I think Leon Rose and those guys are really smart. They've done a really good job with the franchise. They really have — better than I ever thought they would do. And you have to give them a chance to do this. But this is going to be a very tricky, very tough move.”

On the Mets' offseason

“I thought the Mets’ offseason was very intriguing because [David] Stearns clearly had a conviction. He clearly wasn't worried about what the fallout was in any way. He clearly has a plan, and then we had to wait for him to put the plan in motion . . . Right now I think they're a bat short and I’m a little worried about the back of the bullpen.”

On the Yankees' offseason

“The Yankees are, to me, really fooling themselves. Yes, they have a lot of pitching. Yes, they could have a dramatic, really impressive rotation, no question. But they're asking a lot, and I don't think they were that good last year. They beat up on a lot of bad teams down the stretch. Their schedule was incredibly favorable, which allowed them to really finish on a big high after not being a very good team for months. I think what the Yankees are now is a team that overpowers bad teams and overpowers bad pitching and can't beat good teams.”