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In New York City, when it comes to sports, Mike Francesa is referred to as "The Pope." He's been in the afternoon drive chair at WFAN in New York for more than 25 years and is considered one of the best in the sports-talk business. He's been voted Radio Ink's top local sports-talk host since that list was created. But there appears to be a crack in the relationship between Francesa and his employer CBS Radio.
Newsday is reporting that, on his show Tuesday, Francesa said CBS Radio wrote a letter threatening to sue him if he spoke on the air about the show's TV simulcast problems on Fox Sports 1. Francesa often gets frustrated when his show is bumped for soccer or NASCAR. CBS spokesperson Karen Mateo told the paper, "There has been no discussion of any kind in regards to a lawsuit." After hearing about that statement Francesa went off.
Francesa responded to the corporate statement on the air. "I was told not to say anything and I was handed a letter which in three different places says it will hold you liable and responsible for all the money in the agreement. That's a threat. It was deemed a threat by the people who looked at it. So, semantics. Tell the truth. I was given it and I can produce it, so cease with the nonsense that I wasn't given it. That's just not factually correct and what you tried to say was very misleading in the statement.There was a letter handed to me which basically said, cease, otherwise you will be responsible for all the money if the deal blows up and that is what is known in the trade as a way of threatening your talent. If they're saying I didn't receive a letter that's a lie. I did. If they're saying there were no discussions between myself and certain people there were, and if they say the letter in some ways does not say they will take action then they haven't read it, and I can produce it."
Read the full Newsday report HERE and leave your comments below.
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