Francesa quiet on rival host
ON the topic of Craig Carton, it appears Mike’s off.
Mike Francesa fans tuning in Wednesday in the hopes of the Sports Pope weighing in on the arrest of morning cohost and bitter rival Craig Carton had to be disappointed.
Francesa, who has publicly clashed with Carton for years, seemed to be muzzled by WFAN suits. He opened his show with the following statement:
“On this show, we don’t dodge things. We never have. So, we know what the news of the day is. Let me just say this for all of you: the company has put out a statement. For the present, that statement has to suffice as the only statement that will be made. That is what the company wants until further notice. That’s what they have informed me, so don’t call up asking me any questions about anything that’s going on pertaining to that because I cannot answer it right now. Because the statement, which I’m sure you’ve seen, if you’re interested, that is right now the statement that stands for the company and is the only statement they want made right now.
“So, that’s the bottom line. Anything else will not be discussed at the present time.”
Carton was arrested early Wednesday morning for his alleged role in running a concert ticket ponzi-like scheme. Carton’s $5.6 million scam was used to help him pay off staggering gambling debts to casinos and at least one individual, authorities said.
Carton’s co-host Boomer Esiason opened their show saying Carton was out sick but came clean after 9 a.m. with the real reason he was absent.
“I am aware now why Craig is not here this morning. Unfortunately, he was arrested this morning,” Esiason said on the air. “Over here at the station they’re aware of it as well. They’re cooperating with authorities. I’m taken aback by it and surprised, just like I’m sure everybody else is. I have no other information. There’s nothing else I can say.”
“So I guess there will be more news to come, I’m sure, from somewhere, but it’s not going to come from me, because I don’t have any,” he said. “That’s all there is about that. Not easy.”