End Near For Mike and The Mad Dog?

By Gary Ceder
Love of Sports Correspondent

News broke in recent days that the infamous duo of Mike Francesa and Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo are on the outs and have likely already broadcast their final show together.

Their next scheduled broadcast together is not until July 11, and it’s widely believed they won’t even make it to that day.

Mike and the Mad Dog have been an institution for 19 years on WFAN 660 AM in New York City. Mike is from Long Beach and Mad Dog from Syosset, and both are New Yorkers through and through. You can tell by the passion with which they discuss sports, in particular New York area teams, and by the manner in which they aren’t afraid to butt heads on the air.

Part of the reason the two get into heated debates is because it makes for good radio and keeps listeners tuned in. Both are also very good friends, or at least were until not long ago.

Because I live in New York, I have easy access to their show and often find myself tuned in even if it is for a short time just to hear what Mike or Mad Dog might say next. The discussions are spirited and can make for great diversions from the remainder of everyday life.

However, conflicting reports have now raised the question if this is even for real.

On the one hand, some sources are reporting the “feud” between the two is entirely staged. Both gentlemen realize this could be the last big contract of their careers.

Much like a politician looking to convert voters to his point of view or “cash” on one of his many proposed laws or statutes, they might be looking to create leverage for future negotiations. Particularly given the loss of Don Imus in 2007, the prevailing thought seems to be that WFAN can’t afford to lose another group of personalities that has been an institution on sports talk radio and a ratings hit on men aged 25-54 for so many years.

The second argument on the opposite end of the spectrum is that the likely end of the show is for real. Insiders and avid listeners of the show have known the one-time very good relationship between the two has deteriorated in recent years.

Mad Dog hinted at it in a recent interview when he stated, “I think we’ve been going through that … I think we’ve been fine the last couple of months.” Mike has been far more hesitant to even address the question.

In a similar manner, when approached about their potential split, Mike flatly ignored the question and gave a terse, “No comment.” Mad Dog, on the other hand, has denied knowledge of a potential breakup. He also reminded reporters his contract, which includes a no-compete clause, runs through October of 2009.

You could almost sense Mad Dog’s annoyance with the series of questions, justified or not, through the underlying tone of his responses. He goes on to state, “That is news to me … I have not heard that … That is fascinating information.”

Mad Dog then went on to be more factual in nature. “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.”

If I had to venture a guess on which theory is more plausible – negotiating ploy or real break-up – I’m going to say real break-up. There are simply far too many rumors of a strained relationship between the two. I find it hard to believe it is salvageable any longer.

In addition, both Mike and Mad Dog seem to both have enough name recognition that I have to imagine each could go in a different direction yet still stay in the public eye if they wanted to.

The wild card in this whole running saga is that the YES Network simulcast contract runs through the end of this calendar year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the show maintained its run through the same time frame.

Regardless of how everything plays out, Mike and the Mad Dog will be missed. They’re as much your prototypical New York personalities as they are sports guys you could see yourself hanging with while watching a game.

They might be opinionated, stubborn and set in their ways, but that’s also what makes them great. I can’t help but not tune in.