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WFAN Boycott and Suggestions


By Mike Silva ~ January 26th, 2010. Filed under: Mike Silva, Sports Media Commentary.

It’s music to my ears that others are starting to realize the substandard product produced by WFAN. For about two years, this site has been a pioneer in holding WFAN accountable. I have to admit, the real source of discontent started with the “Unauthorized WFAN Forum” at mikefrancesa.com. If not for those guys, and the spin off called themikefrancesa.com, we wouldn’t even have seen modest changes made by Team Chernoff.

Recently I opined about the stupid tactics used to drive the stations ratings. Anytime I criticize the FAN, I get anonymous emails accusing me of jealousy, ignorance, or an agenda. I am told that WFAN is enjoying “its best ratings ever” and things are great at the station. Unfortunately, for Mark Chernoff, things such as social media, FAN events, and general dialogue with insiders tell a different story. Bob Blitz’s reported about how the ratings were down in December, and that there was a possibility of it dropping even further in January. Fortunately, the Jets made an historic run, and their beloved Mike Francesa used his pulpit to antagonize the Jets fan base. That should keep Chernoff in good standings with his bosses, but I believe it hurts the credibility of the station. The very same station that employs Craig Carton, an individual that already was fired from a previously job because of libelous statements.

Today, news came out from our good friends at Bob’s Blitz that Jets websites are encouraging a boycott of WFAN. I actually did this during the summer and, to be honest, didn’t really miss a beat. It’s hard to boycott the all sports radio station since there is no competition. What else will you listen to in the car? I like Brandon Tierney over at ESPN, but living in Eastern Long Island makes it hard to hear ESPN in certain parts.

This boycott is music to my ears. It’s time to send Mark Chernoff a message and let him know the “stupid radio tricks” are not acceptable. We want him to start developing some of the station’s talent, and put an end to the same bland shows. Their mediocre web presence is a joke in the age of technology and social media. Unfortunately, as long as Chernoff runs the station, things will never change. That is why I am proposing the following:

1) Fire Mark Chernoff: Time to send this guy packing. I am not one to wish people losing their jobs, but in an economy where unemployment is over 10% the fact that this guy is allowed to earn a paycheck for his mediocre performance is abhorrent. CBS needs to hire someone young, with vision, and who understands the future of radio. Chernoff’s resume meets none of the above.

2) Fire Craig Carton: Enough with his inappropriate humor and snarky attitude. The guy is hated by his colleagues, and is being carried by a legendary former New York athlete. Evan Roberts should get this slot. Roberts is a hard worker, has a good personality, and is knowledgeable about all sports. He deserves a chance to become a star. The fact that WFAN employs the wretched Carton bewilders me.

3) Pair Joe Benigno with Mike Francesa: Mike’s whole #1 claim is like giving the Saudi’s credit for drilling oil. Location, and lack of competition, keeps the arrogant and sloppy Francesa on top. A reader mentioned how the FAN has never paired a Mets and Yankees fan together. This would be the perfect combination. I might actually enjoy the show for the first time since Mad Dog left. No one should be bigger than their employer, and if Francesa doesn’t like it, tell him to take a walk. Trust me, no one is irreplaceable.

4) Hire Brandon Tierney: This guy can be a star and, in my opinion, replace Francesa when he finally gets put out to pasture. He actually is knowledgeable about all sports, has a great personality, and is New York born and bred. His talent is wasted working for second rate ESPN Radio. He can take the midday slot. I bet he actually drives some ratings there as well.

5) Experiment on the Weekends: Nothing against Paige, Somers, Neer, or any of the guys on the weekend, but start to experiment with those time slots. Obviously the games will rule, but gives some of your young talent a shot. Hey, you can even call NYBD and I will host a baseball show for you. I actually know how to connect with the modern baseball fan, and won’t need to survive just on calls. Maybe I can book a new guest or two that hasn’t been heard from, or needs to be paid. Regardless, this isn’t about me, but allowing future radio stars to shine. You can’t do any harm. The only damage done will be to the political hierarchy established by an old school radio hack like Chernoff.  

The boycott is just the start. Listeners are angry and the future 25-54 demographic is not going to gravitate towards this dead style of radio. The current ratings are bogus because, if it weren’t, the quality and quantity of advertising would indicate otherwise. Tough times are ahead for WFAN and, if they listen to me, they might be able to return to the “golden age” of New York sports talk radio.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com
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18 Responses to WFAN Boycott and Suggestions

  1. Ceetar
    January 26th, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    I don’t mind Carton. He’s over the top somewhat, but whatever. It’s not real, it’s a radio show. I don’t try to hold my entertainers to some crazy PC standard.

    I agree about Evan though, because he’s willing to talk about something other than the same old, same old, and he actually embraces social media.

    Another thing that bothers me about Francesa is how he dictates the end of his show. He works until about 6:20, then we get like 15 minutes of commercials, and then Mets Extra. (Or Devils, or Nets) but when there isn’t a pregame until 6:50, or there is no game, we get Steve Somers for a stupid 15-20 minutes show, which is just ridiculous. Rarely when anyone fills in for Francesa do they get to take this time period off. Make him work up until the game. I like Somers and like his monologue and he’s probably the most liked host, but to randomly assign him 15 minutes to fill time is just dumb.

  2. mikez
    January 26th, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    Evan Roberts is a tool. Beningo is a joke. These two ramble on about how many girls A-Rod and Jeter can get. They’re a joke. Not sure how they got on the air. Craig Carton is hilarious; I love listening to him and Boom in the morning. Originally I was a Mad Dog fan, but once I met Francessa at the All Star Fan Fest, I realized he’s a great guy and he has great arguments. He’s usually right because he uses reason instead of emotion. And that’s coming from a Mets fan.

    Jets websites want to protest WFAN??? Why??? Because you got a gift playoff run and got your butts served by Peyton???

  3. Edwin
    January 26th, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    I don’t get what the heck is the problems with these JETS fans. Why boycott WFAN ’cause of Francesa? Sure he might be hard on them, but guess what, he mostly right. They couldn’t beat the Colts and that was proven this past sunday. Just about every other host is a Jets fan,so they should stop complaining. Somers, Beningo, Roberts, Carton all Mets fans as well… There’s like no Giants fan besides Laura she’s a Mets fan and Francesa, Also there’s no Yankees fan beside Francesa. So really all those Jets and Mets fan should shut up already!!! That’s basically a Jet/Met station.

  4. AR
    January 27th, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    You must be kidding!?! I had to relocate to Atlanta from NY and, if not for being able to stream in Boomer and, especially, Carton (who is hilarious), I would lose my mind. Inappropriate humor? what do you think sports radio is supposed to be? Public radio? I listen to Public Radio when I want intelligent, serious world views; I listen to Boomer and Carton when I want to laugh and get some info on my sports teams. Lighten up and stop you anti Carton agenda, becasue if by some terrible move on the Fan’s part they fire him, I will find where he ends up and that will be my new station.

  5. Tony
    January 27th, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    A while back the guys were talking on air about the meetings at WFAN, and that Chernoff was worried about show content- what they were going to talk about. Content.

    Recently, I decided to track the amount of time that there actually was talk radio. During about 65 minutes of time, Joe and Evan were heard for 28 minutes. This is talk time, not phone numbers, call letters, commercials. That’s 14 minutes each- less, of course callers and guests.

    Content. What content? There’s not enough time for it.

  6. Russ
    January 27th, 2010 at 5:29 pm

    What is going on with Francessa’s inability to get guests these days? I just checked my iTunes, and he last had a guest on 1/22 (Troy Aikman +2 others). Now it’s the 27th and nothing has been posted since. That is so sad.

    The lack of depth at the FAN is also at an all-time low. I’ve already posted about what a clueless clown Steve Somers is. Why is a boxing guy a regular host? No offense to Tony Paige but boxing is a dying sport, only 3-4 people in the entire sport matter anymore. Meanwhile, UFC is the fastest growing sports organization in the world, yet according to WFAN the sport of MMA does not exist. Don’t even get me started on the continued employment of Ann Ligouri or Lori Rubinson. That lawsuit was 20 years ago, it should not be a guarantee of employment in 2010. Richard Neer is only insightful when discussing music, so why has he kept a gig hosting sports for 20 years? Oh yeah, because he’s willing to work on major holidays.

    Did you ever notice the nice shiny computers in the studio that are clearly connected to the internet? Somehow, since they started televising the show, no one has ever seen Mike or the Dog ever touch them. How can you be an informed and educated sports guy in 2010 without using the internet?

  7. MIKE
    January 27th, 2010 at 6:01 pm

    Mike want to get his Super Bowl trivia questions correct, as well. He’s been asking the question as to the 3 Super Bowl teams that won hoisted the trophy with 18 wins…there are only 2 teams that did that, the ’84 Niners and ’85 Bears…The ’07 Patriots won 18, but of course, lost the Super Bowl….Let’s see if they ever correct it.

  8. Bill Mc
    March 10th, 2010 at 7:52 pm

    Mike’s rudeness used to be almost tolerable back when he used to be very up on most sports. He’s gotten lazier over the years though and now he just dismisses callers who are right on certain issues. His rude treatment of Chris Carlin this afternoon was akin to listening to a married couple fight bitterly at the tale next to you – cringeworthy.

  9. David
    September 22nd, 2010 at 11:38 pm

    Boomer and Carton are raking in the money, no way they they fire either one of them, plus Craig is great, I don’t get your vendetta against him. But they need to fire Fatso altogether and move Joe and Evan into Afternoon Drive.

  10. JTK
    January 18th, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    Carton is a buffoon, no talent hack. He needs to talk less and let the talent or guest talk. Nobody really tunes in to hear his opinion. Please, do everybody a favor and SHUT THE HELL UP ALREADY !

  11. Mike Silva
    January 18th, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    JTK

    He does a good job asking guests out on dates (see Phil Simms earlier today), and building his “black book” so he could be with the cool crowd. Carton is a snarky little individual who was abused as a teenager, who now can show the world he is allowed into the “cool circle.” The cruel joke is he will be bumped out once Esiason moves on to bigger and better things. It’s Boomer that makes Carton, and the twerp knows it.

  12. Nick Adams
    February 8th, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Carton is like nails on a blackboard…..Let me know when he’s gone…..Basically he’s unlistenable…..I would even welcome back Sid at this point or just let Boomer go solo. Like i said, let me know when diarrhea of the mouth (Carton) is gone.

  13. JoJo
    March 2nd, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    How does Carton still have a job ?……This dude is truly talentless…I’d rather listen to commerical’s on 1050 ESPN than Carton on the FAN.

  14. Karen
    April 10th, 2011 at 8:06 am

    Absolutly unlistenable…..What a douche.

  15. Winson
    June 13th, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    Is he gone yet ?

  16. Andres
    July 8th, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    Sid Rosenberg Rules……How is this guy not on WFAN regularly ?
    And that Panty Waste Carton still allowed in the studio and on my radio…..HOW, Please enlighted me.

  17. Henry Mac
    August 19th, 2011 at 8:33 am

    Boomer, get out while you can, Carton is a cancer for your career.
    1050 Mike and Mike RULE the Morning airwaves !
    Carton, your 15 minutes are almost up……tick, tick, tick.

  18. JIMMY
    September 23rd, 2011 at 11:36 am

    What a Douche….I agree

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