Mike Francesa said to 'desperately' desire return to New York radio | Back to WFAN?

April 23, 2018 - The Star Ledger - View Full Article

Former WFAN host Mike Francesa "desperately misses" New York sports talk radio and is trying to find a way back on the air, according to a report by The New York Post.

Is the return of Zaun imminent?

Mike Francesa "desperately misses" New York sports talk radio and is trying to find a way back on the air, according to a report by The New York Post. Citing sources, The Post's sports media columnist, Andrew Marchand, reports Francesa or representatives from his camp have had discussions with ESPN Radio New York and WOR. Marchand also says a return to WFAN, Francesa's home for 30 years, cannot be ruled out. 

Francesa could not be reached for comment, according to The Post.

A Francesa return, on any local station, would be a stunning development following his exit from WFAN last December. Francesa has been eligible to sign with any radio station since April 1, but has reportedly been unable to find a landing spot to this point. 

The news of Francesa's apparent desire to get back in the game comes days after his WFAN replacements, Chris Carlin, Maggie Gray and Bart Scott of "The Afternoon Drive," finished slightly behind longtime Francesa nemesis "The Michael Kay Show," which is broadcast on ESPN Radio, in the winter ratings book. Francesa never lost a book to Kay. 

Francesa's greatest hits: A Giants rant from last year

Francesa has shopped his long-running NFL Sunday show to ESPN, according to The Post, but ESPN would not consider dumping Kay's weekday show and replacing him with Francesa. WOR currently has conservative talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity on its afternoon schedule, but those are syndicated programs. The station also carries Mets broadcasts. 

According to The Post, Francesa could have stayed at WFAN in a reduced role - the report says the station was willing to shorten his hours - but he declined. Francesa also passed up the chance to stay following the September arrest of former morning show host Craig Carton. Francesa asked for a raise, according to the report, and talks with the station went nowhere.

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.



WATCH: What the Devils will aim to address entering offseason

April 23, 2018 - The Star Ledger - View Full Article

Putting a bow on the Devils' 2017-18 season and addressing a couple areas where the team will aim to improve in 2018-19. Watch video

Now that the 2017-18 season is officially in the books, the Devils can turn their attention to the offseason and preparing for 2018-19.

They're certainly disappointed by ending their postseason run after just five games, losing to the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, but the Devils exceeded many expectations by getting to the playoffs in the first place.

Which Devils will be free agents?

It was a big accomplishment for a team stuck in a five-season playoff drought and one coming off a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Now the goal for the Devils will to not only get back to the postseason, but to become a more serious contender.

Watch the video above where we put a bow on the Devils' 2017-18 season and address a couple areas where the team will aim to improve in 2018-19.

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.