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Francesa Opens Up About New Role With WFAN

“According to Francesa, his daily WFAN gig from 6 – 6:30pm will be fast paced and unlike his previous shows, probably won’t take a lot of calls.”

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No official announcements have been made by WFAN as to how they’re replacing Mike Francesa in afternoon drive, but the radio icon himself has been open about his new role, which will include a 30-minute weekday show. 

As WFAN looks to retool their lineup for the second time in two years, Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts are expected to take over the 2 – 6pm timeslot with Maggie Gray and Marc Malusis likely headed to the midday. But as Francesa recently stepped down from his afternoon post, he has continued to make it clear that he’s not leaving the station completely. 

On Tuesday, Francesa appeared as a guest with Julie Stewart-Binks on her fubo Sports Network show, Call It a Night to promote the upcoming film he has a small role in Uncut Gems. During the appearance, Francesa removed himself as a potential candidate to be the next head coach of the Giants, but did discuss his future with WFAN and their parent company Entercom. 

According to Francesa, his daily WFAN gig from 6 – 6:30pm will be fast paced and unlike his previous shows, probably won’t take a lot of calls. 

“My show always moved very quickly anyway,” Francesa told host Julie Stewart-Binks. “That’s how I did things. I disposed of callers very quickly. I moved everything along very quickly. That’s just my way. I went through a very high volume of stuff. I think the show has to move. I hate when it drags.”

Keeping with the plan of moving quickly, the half hour show will only have five-minutes of commercials, but Francesa said he’s still working on the format. 

“I’m gonna change up how I do it, there’s not going to be a lot of calls. There will be some, but very few. Maybe even only one a day. I thought about maybe that. I’m still formulating the half-hour. I’m going to make it something we haven’t done before.”

In addition to maintaining a daily presence on WFAN, Francesa will also have an expanded role with RADIO.COM, which he previously stated will include content on both sports and politics. 

Francesa told Stewart-Binks that he has a fascination with finance and politics. While he’s satisfied with show options in the finance space, Francesa believes there’s room for improvement with available political content. 

The radio host has never shied away from stating his support for President Trump, but when it comes to the political content he wants to create, Francesa says he’ll play it right down the middle. While most political shows and networks are heavily in favor of the left or right, Francesa hopes to be an unbiased voice.

Stewart-Binks asked Francesa about the often spewed ‘stick to sports’ mandate. “Tell ‘em to shut up, I don’t care what they think,” Francesa answered.

Francesa’s RADIO.COM hour is expected to air weekdays at 5pm ET, preceding his six o’clock show on the FAN and totaling 90 minutes of airtime a day for the longtime sports radio host.

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Sports Radio News

Darren McKee: ‘I Have No Plans to Go Anywhere’

“We’re off to the next adventure.”

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Darren McKee
Courtesy: Bonneville Denver

Bonneville Denver and Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan recently released a new on-air lineup featuring a revamped afternoon drive program and the addition of Josh Dover in middays alongside Brandon Stokley. These changes were precipitated by the changing marketplace in addition to Derek Wolfe’s exit from the station “to focus on other interests.” Wolfe had been working with Darren McKee, who was subsequently let go in a decision that perturbed many longtime listeners of the station.

The Syracuse University graduate had been working with the station since 2008 and was one of four radio personalities to be let go as part of the move. Joining McKee as victims of the changes were former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Orlando Franklin, former Broncos tight end Nate Jackson and former NFL linebacker Chad Brown.

McKee recently appeared on the DeHuff Uncensored podcast, hosted by former Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan producer Scott DeHuff, who departed the station in 2021 to pursue other opportunities. DeHuff was an integral part of shaping the morning show, Schlereth & Evans, and affirmed that his exit was not planned but something he felt had to happen. Conversely, McKee was released by the station and reflected on how it felt for him to be fired for the 10th time of his career.

“You had quite a bit more independent decision-making than I had on that one,” McKee told DeHuff. “Okay, it is what it is; I’ve been through it before and just got to [take it] one day at a time and figure it out.”

DeHuff enjoyed his time on the air and thanked all of the fans who left messages on social media demonstrating their support and appreciation for his work. While he is not sure where his career will take him next, he ostensibly wants to continue to use his gift of gab to inform and entertain the public, presumably in the sports media industry.

“I have no plans to go anywhere,” DeHuff said. “We’re off to the next adventure, and [I am] kind of traveling down and trying to catch up with this world, man – the podcast world; the digital world.”

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Tiki Barber Walks Out Of WFAN Studio During Argument With Joe Benigno

“OK. So don’t give me this nonsense how you’re analyzing Zach Wilson. I don’t want to hear it! It’s BS, Tik! He stinks!”

Jordan Bondurant

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Tiki Barber
Courtesy: Derek Futterman

WFAN host Tiki Barber found himself opposite station legend Joe Benigno in a debate about the New York Jets on Monday, and by the end of it Barber had to leave the studio to calm down.

It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for the Jets and their fans. Since Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury on the fourth play of the first game, the Jets went to Dallas and got beat pretty handedly by the Cowboys in Week 2 and then never really kept pace with the Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

In an appearance on Evan & Tiki, Benigno took Barber to task for his analysis of the Jets and defense of quarterback Zach Wilson, saying Tiki couldn’t properly analyze the team’s play considering he is a beloved former member of the New York Giants and that he was calling a different game for CBS at the same time.

“All I know is this, yesterday you were in Washington with the Commanders and the Bills were you not?” Benigno asked. Barber responded he was. “OK. So don’t give me this nonsense how you’re analyzing Zach Wilson. I don’t want to hear it! It’s BS, Tik! He stinks!”

Barber, miffed at Benigno’s assertion, responded saying he was turning his mic off before you can see him on the SNY simulcast mouthing, “That’s bullshit and you know it.” He then stands up and proceeds to walk off camera and presumably out of the studio.

Co-host Evan Roberts moments later mentioned to Joe that he annoyed Tiki with what he said, and Benigno, an avid Jets fan, clarified that his comments weren’t meant to be a shot at Barber. Joe is clearly as frustrated about Wilson and the Jets as are plenty of other fans.

“I’m not annoyed at Tiki, but I’m annoyed at the whole freaking situation bro,” Benigno said.

Roberts did come to Barber’s defense in a way saying that Tiki is watching all the games even after completing his own CBS assignment.

“I don’t think he hates our team,” Roberts said.

Benigno did apologize further and that he would find a way to get in touch with him later to smooth things over.

“I don’t mean to take it out on him,” he said. “But I’ve had enough.”

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Sports Radio News

Beasley Flips 2 Sports Stations to New Podcast Radio Format

“Podcast Radio is an idea that Caroline Beasley and our team have been thinking about and researching for years and we’re excited to be the first to launch this format in the United States.”

Jordan Bondurant

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Two sports talk stations owned by Beasley Media Group have flipped in favor of a new podcast radio format according to Inside Radio.

Under a partnership with KMG Networks and operating under the Podcast Radio U.S. banner, Podcast Radio Detroit has launched on the former home of The Roar on 93.5 while Podcast Radio Carolinas occupies the frequency at 94.7 that previously aired FOX Sports Charlotte.

The podcast radio format will air some of the top podcasts in the U.S. and the world and is available to stations and groups on a network/barter basis.

“Podcast Radio is an idea that [CEO] Caroline Beasley and our team have been thinking about and researching for years and we’re excited to be the first to launch this format in the United States,” Beasley Media Group chief content officer Justin Chase. “This concept has been highly successful for Gerry [Edwards, Founder & CEO of Podcast Radio] and his team in the United Kingdom, and we believe our audience will fall in love with the Podcast Radio U.S. version we present on our stations.”

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