The Real Reason Mike Francesa Decided To Return To WFAN

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Few New York sports radio personalities have ever commanded the airwaves like Mike Francesa. For decades, his voice became part of the daily rhythm for countless New York sports fans, especially those who built their afternoons around WFAN. When Francesa left the station and then quickly announced his return in 2018, the reaction was immediate because it touched something larger than sports radio. It was about fame, ego, loyalty, the pull of the microphone, and the difficulty many public figures face when they try to step away from the stage that made them famous.

Photo: By Peteykirchner [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

Mike Francesa Returns To WFAN

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Following in the footsteps of Cher, Elton John, Kiss, George Foreman, and the thousands of other famous personalities who have retired only to come back rather quickly, Mike Francesa announced on April 24, 2018, that he planned to return to sports radio WFAN, possibly within a week. To be fair, Mike Francesa did not technically retire; he merely left WFAN to pursue other options. However, the manner of his departure and the reasons for his return left a bitter taste in the mouths of many of his fans and colleagues.

In an interview with Newsday, Mike Francesa said that one reason he was going back to WFAN was that certain people told him he “better not go back.” Using the reason that he was returning because he was told not to, just does not really cut it with New Yorkers. Yes, it is feisty and rings of rebellion, but does anyone really believe that is the real reason? Of course not. Yes, he did say he missed it, but the larger reason is simple. The glory of the stage is just too difficult to leave behind for so many.

The Pull Of Fame And The Microphone

When you are loved by millions and told how great you are every day, it becomes such an addiction that once it stops, the withdrawal process begins. Celebrities feed on attention even though most of them deny it. Think of the Rocky movies. Rocky has retired and now owns his little restaurant. He sits around telling stories to a handful of people every day. However, at the end of the night, he stares at that picture on the wall of him and Apollo Creed, and it begins to tear him apart. Rocky needs those crowds chanting his name. A handful of people at a dinner table listening to Rocky stories comes nowhere close to the thrill of large crowds screaming for victory.

Stars have a hard time returning to Earth. Many people get upset when celebrities return to the stage after their retirement. It’s not because of their return itself, but because of the retirement parties thrown in their honor as heartfelt goodbyes. People spend money purchasing retirement gifts. Fans spend a lot of money on expensive concert tickets billed as the last chance to see their favorite artists. It can feel like you were ripped off when they return so quickly. At least the Eagles admitted the irony when they dubbed their comeback tour the “Hell Freezes Over” Tour after publicly stating they would not return until hell freezes over.

Those Who Leave And Those Who Come Back

Jerry Seinfeld left and came back. Dave Letterman left and later tried to come back in his own way. Only Johnny Carson left and never came back. Johnny Carson was always one of the most respected talents in the entertainment industry. Carson’s adherence to his retirement and his disappearance from the public spotlight only fueled his legend even more.

What Happens To The People Who Took Your Place?

The other significant factor about returning to a stage where you once reigned supreme is what happens to those now performing on your old stage. Do people get fired because of Mike Francesa’s return, or are they simply asked to move over to the right, a little bit more, just a few more steps? I actually like Bart, Maggie, and Carlin. Hopefully, they will still find a spot. WFAN hinted at moving them earlier in the day. On Tuesday, the day of the announcement, it was interesting to hear their reactions to the news. They were very professional in how they handled it, which probably explains why I like them as much as I do. It was fun listening to Boomer Esiason pounce on Francesa that morning. Boomer is Boomer.

Why Francesa Still Worked On The Air

I always liked Mike Francesa, but I cringed every time he took a call. His excuse for destroying fan callers who had chosen to be part of his show was just an excuse to be impatient and mean. Mike Francesa was brilliant when he spoke on his own. Even though he sometimes put his foot in his mouth, he was just so entertaining in his delivery.

Time and time again, Rocky retired, but it just wouldn’t let him go. Is this just the beginning of a series of breakups and returns between Mike Francesa and WFAN? Probably so.