Mike could get FAN save call

COULD Craig Carton’s arrest and uncertain future at WFAN cause Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa to push back his December 15 retirement date from the station?

For no one, not even Carton, can deny the fact he has put the suits from WFAN and CBS Radio (it owns FAN), the people who gave him the biggest break of his career, in an awful spot. His arrest conning investors out of $5.6 million could not come at a worse time for both companies.

According to a report, WFAN has suspended Carton, and Phil Simms will take his seat in the studio on Thursday. Anyway you cut it, the two key revenue generating day-parts, morning drive and afternoon drive, will be in a state of flux or transition.

“In the short term it could destroy the radio station. Carton was the main draw of the morning show. Francesa is Francesa,” one radio executive said. “This situation may force them (WFAN and CBS Radio execs) to beg Francesa to stay. All this happening during the Fall (ratings) book is a disaster.”

If the suits did “beg” him, would Francesa stay? Recently there were talks about him continuing his “Football Sunday” show. Those negotiations didn’t work out. Now there would be more on the line. With Carton likely to be on the shelf and Francesa splitting the scene, FAN would be airing two shows with new cast members. One drivetime show going through a transition is bad enough, two is a major problem.

Advertising dollars would go flying out the window.

With Carton, at the least, in limbo, Francesa could gain major leverage in terms of a financial package. And if the money doesn’t matter, which is doubtful, the suits can make an appeal to Francesa based on his loyalty and love of WFAN. They could cast the Pope as their savior, which might appeal to his ego and, considering what WFAN has meant to him, could genuinely move him to stay, ahhhh, just a little bit longer.

And what must the suits at Entercom Communications be thinking? That company bought CBS Radio, which includes WFAN, thinking they would have two drive-time powerhouse shows. Now they have purchased two question marks. That sale will be completed early next year.

For now, CBS Radio says it knows about the investigation of Carton and is cooperating with it. At some point, CBS/FAN will have to decide what course of action to take. With all the legal dust swirling around him, it would be stunning if they let Carton work while the case is being litigated.

Could they simply fire him and worry about legal ramifications (like Carton suing CBS) later. History shows CBS Radio didn’t hesitate dumping Don Imus immediately after he made racist comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team.

Then again, the company could decide to be guided by the language in the morals clauses in Carton’s contract, which could specify what a fireable offense is. Of course Carton must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

That important right of any citizen cannot erase the fact the mere allegations have turned WFAN, the nation’s signature sports radio station, into an outlet in crisis.

And wouldn’t it be ironic if the man Carton despises, Francesa, is called on to mop up Carton’s mess by agreeing to stay on at the station.

Right now, that might be FAN’s only way out.