Mike’s On fence, but not on app
Mike Francesa sounds as if he may be in full retreat mode.
On Monday, Francesa opened the door for possibly quitting his afternoon show on WFAN and only doing his new $8.99-per-month “Mike’s On” app.
Francesa — who returned to FAN in May for what sources described as a significant pay cut — said he hasn’t reached a contract agreement with Entercom, FAN’s parent company. Often in broadcasting, sides will agree to the parameters of a deal before the paperwork is completed.
“We haven’t really come to a deal yet, which makes me think that maybe the app and show don’t work together and that’s something we’re going to have to adjust one way or the other,” Francesa said as he voiced his opinion about The Post’s story detailing the Madison Square Garden boycott of FAN and its parent company, Entercom.
He later made clear the adjustments will not be with the app.
“The Mike’s On app is going nowhere,” Francesa said.
Francesa has not revealed whether his app has gained an audience, but social media constantly lambastes him for its price and the fact he does shows on it sparingly.
Mark Chernoff, WFAN’s vice president of programming, declined to comment when asked if he expects Francesa to resign.
Francesa returned in May after “retiring” in December. He said he only came back to start his app, though he could have launched it without taking back his old spot. That might have made better sense for the paid-subscription app. If he weren’t doing nearly 18 hours of free radio weekly, there may be more of an audience willing to pay to hear his thoughts.
He said it hasn’t been easy returning to FAN after he unseated Chris Carlin, Maggie Gray and Bart Scott in the coveted late-afternoon spot.
“I knew it was going to be uncomfortable, but maybe it’s been more uncomfortable than I thought,” Francesa said. “Probably has been.”
It is hard to see how uncomfortable it is since he does nearly every show from his home studio.