1 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:08,680 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Audio Studios, Podcasts, Radio News. 2 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 2: Hi. 3 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,279 Speaker 3: Everyone, welcome to the deal. I'm Jason Kelly along with 4 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:21,440 Speaker 3: my co host Alex Rodriguez. All right, Alex, I feel 5 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 3: like this is a really special edition kind of paired 6 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 3: with some of our earlier shows. We're getting deep into 7 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 3: the media world, not just the media world, the baseball 8 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 3: media world of New York City sports radio talk show hosts. 9 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 3: Mike Francessa. You listen to him, You listen to him 10 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 3: talk about you. So I can't wait to get into 11 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:42,239 Speaker 3: all that. I mean, you've got to have a lot 12 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:43,199 Speaker 3: to ask him. 13 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 4: First of all, a lot like Michael Kay. 14 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 5: These guys have had Mike Processa on sports radio talk 15 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,240 Speaker 5: over the last three and a half decades, So passionate, 16 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 5: bigger than life character, and when he has an opinion, 17 00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 5: he's resolute about it with a lot of factions. 18 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: Everyone's going to hear it. All right. 19 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 3: So before we get to that, you and I both 20 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:05,399 Speaker 3: sent our college kids back to school, which I don't 21 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 3: know how it is in your house. That's a big 22 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 3: moment in my house because everything, like the tone and 23 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 3: tenor just changes when they leave. 24 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 5: Bittersweetness for sure, you know, I have one in Michigan 25 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 5: who's a sophomore this year, and then I send my 26 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:20,040 Speaker 5: little one to Boston on a you know, little retreat, 27 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 5: and I miss my girls, you know, dearly as you 28 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 5: as you do. 29 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 1: I'm sure, all right. 30 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 3: So one of the things that does happen when fall 31 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:30,320 Speaker 3: is upon us is college football's back, which has been 32 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 3: super exciting to watch. You have to be excited about 33 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 3: the Miami Hurricanes right now. They're looking really, really good. 34 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:40,479 Speaker 1: So that's one. 35 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 3: And then playoff baseball, the NFL so World Series. Playoff baseball. 36 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 3: You're going to be in LA, You're going to be 37 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 3: tracking it. How are you feeling about the playoffs upcoming? 38 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 4: Well, first of. 39 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 5: All, you know to zoom out Jason's answer your first question. 40 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 5: I feel great about baseball. I think commission on Manford 41 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 5: and Tony Clark the head of the union. Obviously Rob Manford, 42 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 5: the baseball commissioner. He deserves to go to the Hall 43 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 5: of Fame just for this one change he did alone. 44 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 4: Is the time clock. 45 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 5: You've gone from three and a half hours to under 46 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 5: two or two and change. 47 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 4: That's been wonderful. 48 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 5: I'm one probably in the minority, Jason, and where I'm 49 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:19,359 Speaker 5: incredibly bullish in baseball long term. 50 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 4: Obviously short term you have some you know, headwinds. 51 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 5: However, I think you have a perfect storm potentially with 52 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,080 Speaker 5: the World Series that is very much looking like it 53 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 5: could be a rematch of seventy seven to seventy eight 54 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:34,359 Speaker 5: World Series. 55 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 4: Of Yankees Dodgers. 56 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 5: Now, one of the things that I think Rob Manford 57 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 5: and Tony Clark, the head of the Union, have an 58 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:44,600 Speaker 5: opportunity is you have to change the narrative a little bit. 59 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 5: You can't have the only metrics be ratings because you 60 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 5: have a competitive disadvantage with Fox. I mean, you have 61 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 5: NFL at you know, seventeen eighteen games, you have NBA 62 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,600 Speaker 5: eighty two and you're at one sixty two. The conversation 63 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 5: that we'll be getting out there is the biggest inning eater, 64 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 5: which means we get more content in our sport consumed 65 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 5: by fans than any sport around And that conversation should 66 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 5: be monetized some way, somehow. And then you got to 67 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 5: jump into you know, can we do a situation where 68 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 5: you have what HBO does with their show with Hard 69 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 5: Knocks and all of that, and yeah, look you have Otani, 70 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 5: you have Judge of so many wonderful stories. But I 71 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 5: think over the next three to five years, baseball should 72 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 5: start changing the conversation and really taking the helmets off 73 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,359 Speaker 5: these great players so we can be invested in them, 74 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 5: so then we can cheer for them. 75 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 4: And I'll give you another status is going to blow 76 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 4: you away? You ready for this? Bucking your chin strap, Jason? 77 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 4: Are you ready? 78 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 1: All right? 79 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 5: The Dodgers is my prediction, and we're going to go 80 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 5: back and visit it. I want you to call me 81 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 5: on it, so keep me honest. The Dodgers will be 82 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 5: the first team in professional sports around the globe that 83 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 5: surpasses the billion dollar revenue mark, and. 84 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 4: A big part of that is Otani. 85 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 1: Totally. Yeah, it was interesting. 86 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 3: I I was just talking about how baseball does have 87 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 3: this global opportunity which is sitting right there which to 88 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 3: compare contrast. 89 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: And I'm with you. 90 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 3: I think Manfred has done a really good job, especially 91 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 3: of late, with the things that he's doing with the game. 92 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 3: The pitchclock, you know, the widening the bases, you know, 93 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,479 Speaker 3: some of the rules, extra innings and whatnot that have 94 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 3: sped the game up, made it a little more exciting. 95 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:26,600 Speaker 3: It does feel like baseball is missing a beat that 96 00:04:26,839 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 3: the NFL is increasingly aggressive on, that the NBA is 97 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 3: super aggressive on in terms of really making it a 98 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 3: global game. And when you think about how popular baseball 99 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 3: was in this country, it is just as popular, if 100 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:45,479 Speaker 3: not more so. If you think about Central and South America, 101 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:49,160 Speaker 3: you think about Asia, as you were just mentioning with Otani, 102 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 3: think about the you know, the season starting as it 103 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 3: did in Korea, massive massive fan base. They need to 104 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 3: be leaning into that more. And part of it is 105 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 3: just embracing it in a way. Fe and you've had 106 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 3: a front row seat to this. The NBA has done 107 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:07,239 Speaker 3: that in a massive way, recruiting from overseas and also 108 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:10,600 Speaker 3: exporting the product there. So I just I feel like 109 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 3: baseball needs to and can do more, or otherwise it 110 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:18,039 Speaker 3: is gonna keep sort of slipping vis a vis some 111 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 3: of these other big pro leagues. 112 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 5: And let me add one thing to your great point 113 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 5: is think about the NBA right, whether it's Steph Curry, 114 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 5: going back, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, you think about Michael Jordan, 115 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 5: and take our own player, Anthony Edwards, who just turned 116 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 5: twenty three. He just finished on Netflix documentary. We know 117 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 5: more about Anthony Edwards than we know about Aaron Judge 118 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 5: and Shohei Otani, and there's absolutely. 119 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 4: No reason for that. 120 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:43,920 Speaker 5: These guys are world class, historic players, but we need 121 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 5: to invest in marketing these players and getting to know that. 122 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:47,839 Speaker 4: And that goes back to the friction. 123 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 5: Of course, Marvin Miller who started the union, you know, 124 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:52,840 Speaker 5: many decades ago, and baseball with this. 125 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 4: Union owners hate each other. 126 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 5: You've got to come together and build that watermelon as 127 00:05:57,760 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 5: big as possible and try to figure out what's a 128 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 5: better way to split that. 129 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 3: And to wrap this up. I mean, the product on 130 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 3: the field is great. So I was toward the end 131 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 3: of the summer, I was in southern California, as you know, 132 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 3: we were in LA for the weekend. We literally landed 133 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 3: and everybody, I felt like we ran into a lax 134 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 3: was talking about the fact that Shohe Otani had just 135 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 3: had a walk off Grand Slam, and I mean it 136 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,159 Speaker 3: was like one of those electric moments where you know 137 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 3: you're in Los Angeles. 138 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:29,119 Speaker 1: If you think about Otani, you think about Aaron Judge. 139 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 3: These are generational players, and so you really do hope, 140 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 3: you know, selfishly just for fans, but also selfishly for 141 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 3: the business of baseball. Otani versus Judge in the World Series. 142 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,360 Speaker 1: I'm in. I'm one hundred percent. 143 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:48,720 Speaker 5: Is there a better product than watching Otani against Judge, 144 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:51,920 Speaker 5: Yankees versus Dodgers and Yankee Stadium or Dodgers you pick 145 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:54,880 Speaker 5: on a beautiful fall night. I mean, I take it 146 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:57,480 Speaker 5: against football. I'll take it against basketball, take it against soccer. 147 00:06:57,520 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 5: There is nothing better. So to your point, the heart, 148 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 5: this sport's already done. You have a talent, you have 149 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 5: a great game, you have an incredible history. Now we 150 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 5: got to do a little bit more storytelling. 151 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 1: Yes, exactly. 152 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 3: All right, Well, speaking of storytelling, we know that he's 153 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 3: a big storyteller. Coming up, sports radio talk show host 154 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,760 Speaker 3: Mike Francessa the legend he's going to tell us, probably 155 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 3: his take. 156 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: On what's going to happen coming out of the World Series. 157 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 3: All right, so, Alex, we're bringing in now Mike Francessa, 158 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 3: a legend, no doubt about it. One of the most successful, 159 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 3: best known sports radio talk show hosts in American history. 160 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: Mike, Welcome to the deal. 161 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 2: My pleasure. Hey, Ron, how are you. 162 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 6: I'm doing great, Mike, Great to see you, as always. 163 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 2: My pleasure. 164 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 1: All right, So let's start there. 165 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 3: Mike what do you remember about first hearing about and 166 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 3: meeting Alex Rodriguez. 167 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 2: You know, the Mike and the Man show had already 168 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 2: started before er came up. But Ayrod was a very 169 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 2: savvy player, even when he was in Seattle. And he 170 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,239 Speaker 2: actually came and visited our show at spring training one time, 171 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 2: and we were like completely mystified and surprised because that's 172 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 2: very unusual for an out of town player, especially a 173 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,600 Speaker 2: young one, to kind of seek us out. And he 174 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 2: came and introduced himself to us, and we were like 175 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 2: shocked by that, And he came on the show, and 176 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 2: then he had a habit of coming on the show 177 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:31,080 Speaker 2: a lot, and then obviously as the years went on, 178 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 2: he and I developed a friendship. Then eventually, obviously his 179 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 2: career led to the Yankees after the stint in Texas, 180 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:41,560 Speaker 2: and all those years he would be a visitor on 181 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 2: the show a couple of times a year, he'd be 182 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:47,000 Speaker 2: a guest. He became kind of a regular, and obviously 183 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 2: when he came to New York, it blossomed from there 184 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:53,080 Speaker 2: and we've always maintained a close relationship. 185 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:55,120 Speaker 1: So Alex, what prompted you to do that in the 186 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: first place. 187 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 5: Yeah, Well, look the thing about Mike, and I'm lucky 188 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 5: to call him a friend today and a big fan, 189 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 5: but I get upset with him sometimes because you know, 190 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 5: he's got the perfect hair, he's got a house he's 191 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:09,360 Speaker 5: in I think Cornelius Vanderbilder. 192 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:09,160 Speaker 6: John T. 193 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 2: Rockerrock get Off. It is about as big as your 194 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:14,840 Speaker 2: garage when are you a kid. 195 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:19,600 Speaker 5: And so you know, I was a fan Jason way 196 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 5: before I was a major league baseball player, and I 197 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 5: was fortunate to play for almost a quarter of a century. 198 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:29,080 Speaker 5: But with Mike, he's such an integral part and has 199 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 5: been of the fabric. 200 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 6: Of New York sports, New York period. So anyways, Mike 201 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 6: is awesome. I don't think there'll ever be another one 202 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 6: like Mike. 203 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 2: Prosessa listen Ad has been a big Stuft for a 204 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,560 Speaker 2: very long time. And the Mic and the Marydog Show was, 205 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 2: you know, hit the ground running and became a sensation. 206 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 2: It really did. And we were together for twenty years, 207 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 2: so we were in a big place for a long time. 208 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 2: So we had a lot of players, but he was 209 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 2: one that was always connected to us. So that's really 210 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:57,959 Speaker 2: how it started. And then a Ron obviously had just 211 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 2: not been one who was shied away from the line light. 212 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 2: Through the years, he seemed to find the spotlight now 213 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:04,079 Speaker 2: and again, as we all know. 214 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:09,800 Speaker 3: Really well, I want to dig into the Mike and 215 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 3: the mad Dog era, but I would love to go 216 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 3: back just a little further if we could, because it's funny. 217 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 3: Alex and I talk about this all the time because 218 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 3: I have something of a dream job. 219 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: Alex has obviously had a dream job. 220 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:22,839 Speaker 3: You have a dream job, But like there are a 221 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 3: lot of kids who have dreams of being who you are, 222 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:27,520 Speaker 3: How does. 223 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:28,360 Speaker 1: This start for you? 224 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 3: Like are you listening to the radio as a kid 225 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:32,959 Speaker 3: and saying I can do that? 226 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: Like, what's the origin story here? 227 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 2: Okay, like every other kid. When I was a kid, 228 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 2: I grew up and I wanted to play center field 229 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 2: for the Yankees. Okay, I wasn't good enough. Okay, I 230 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 2: love baseball. I like to play baseball. But that's everybody's 231 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 2: dream when they are kids. And I did not grow 232 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 2: up wanting to be a broadcaster. But I did always 233 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 2: have a fascination and a very much an attachments to 234 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 2: sports and to the game since I was a little boy. 235 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:04,520 Speaker 2: I've just always devoured everything. When I was a little kid. 236 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 2: I used to stop this on the school bus a 237 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 2: block from school and buy the newspapers when I was 238 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 2: in second grade and read them in the classroom. I 239 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:14,840 Speaker 2: paid eight cents for the daily news in those days, 240 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:18,080 Speaker 2: so I did it from a very young age. What 241 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 2: happened was my first real break was well. ESPN wanted 242 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:27,320 Speaker 2: to hid me, but I wound up going to CBS 243 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 2: and I became Brent Musburger's right hand man, his information guy. 244 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 2: At a very young age, I worked on the NFL Today. 245 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:37,800 Speaker 2: I wrote Jimmy the Greek Syndicate a column when I 246 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 2: was very young. I worked for him. I did the 247 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:42,560 Speaker 2: NFL Today for years. I wrote Jimmy the Greek's column 248 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:45,080 Speaker 2: three times a week when I was eighteen. I actually 249 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 2: inherited it from Pete x Holm. As a matter of fact, 250 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 2: it was one of the brilliant sports writers of all time, 251 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:51,720 Speaker 2: who was a guy who was a little bit of 252 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:54,160 Speaker 2: a mentor to me, who died very young. So I 253 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 2: got involved, and he is really the way I got 254 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 2: into sports. Talok, it's very strange, who worked at ESPN 255 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 2: for many years. You might know him as a divine albino. 256 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 2: He's a legendary figure in sports. He was at Rolling Stone, 257 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 2: but then he became the guy who ran Inside Sports magazine. 258 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 2: I did some work for Inside Sports magazine. Well, Inside 259 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 2: Sports Magazine went out and John was looking to do something, 260 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:22,680 Speaker 2: so he said, Hey, I'm going to pitch Random House 261 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 2: on a book. You write the college let Pete Axlm 262 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 2: write the pros. So he did a book called Inside 263 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 2: Football for Random House for a couple of years eighty 264 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 2: four eighty five. I was a lowman on a totem 265 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 2: pole because Axel was already the guy who was the 266 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 2: commerce for Newsweek. He was a legendary writer. He was 267 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 2: a lot older than me. He was twenty years older 268 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:45,840 Speaker 2: than me. So I was the lowman on a totem pole. 269 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:47,680 Speaker 2: I had to do all the interviews at the radio 270 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:50,200 Speaker 2: stations to promote the book. When I would go to 271 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 2: promote the book, I'd sit in there and they'd interview me, 272 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 2: and I'd walk out of the room and I swear 273 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 2: I'm not going to mention any names. I'd walk out 274 00:12:57,440 --> 00:12:59,680 Speaker 2: and say, hey, I could be better than that guy 275 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 2: right now, I mean, and I was like, you gotta 276 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 2: be kidding me. I could do this blindfolded better than 277 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 2: that guy. Okay, well I thought about that. And then 278 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 2: during the eighty six playoffs, so I'm driving and I'm 279 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 2: listening to ten fifty country music AM station in New 280 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 2: York WHN ten to fifty AM. They had the met 281 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:22,920 Speaker 2: games and they go to commercial with what they call 282 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 2: a bump and it says sports Radio ten fifty, and 283 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 2: I'm like, what what is sports radio ten fifty? So 284 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:34,079 Speaker 2: I investigate. I find out they're going to start an 285 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:37,959 Speaker 2: all sports station next July. They're gonna flip the station 286 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:41,120 Speaker 2: from country music. They had been bought by a company 287 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 2: called M's Broadcasting at Indianapolis, and they're gonna start an 288 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:47,320 Speaker 2: all sports station. So I write them a letter. I 289 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 2: asked them for an interview. They bring me in. They say, 290 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 2: why would someone who works for CBS Sports Network Television 291 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 2: want to work as a radio producer. I said, I 292 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,640 Speaker 2: don't want to be a radio producer. I said, I 293 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:01,760 Speaker 2: want to have a sports talk show. They said, oh no, 294 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 2: we're bringing in the biggest guys in the country, the 295 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 2: biggest guys. Ever. You wouldn't have a chance ever to 296 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 2: have a show here. I said, give me a chance, 297 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 2: and they said no. They said it's overqualified to be 298 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 2: a producer. They said no once, they said no twice. 299 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 2: I know one of the producers. I work with him 300 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 2: at Gillett. I'll call him, he calls them. They gave 301 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 2: me a weekend tryout that led to a weekend show, 302 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 2: which led to me stepping in on Thanksgiving for Pete Franklin, 303 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 2: which led to me going the afternoon drive and being 304 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 2: there for thirty. 305 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 3: Oh my god, that's incredible. So I mean, Alex, there's 306 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:39,720 Speaker 3: the lesson shoot your shot. 307 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 5: So Mike, I want to go back a little bit 308 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 5: before the weekend gig because obviously you're a voracious reader. 309 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 5: The fact that you were behind the newspaper eight cents 310 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 5: and second greatest incredible. 311 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:51,400 Speaker 6: I've never heard that. Was it your father? Was it 312 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 6: your mother? 313 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 5: Was it your grandpa? That you can hold court because 314 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 5: you do have a gift from God that when you speak, 315 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 5: you're able to land your points clearly and concisely. 316 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 6: How and where the hell did you get that from? 317 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 2: I've never really spent a lot of time on this. 318 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 2: I think most of my audience knows it. My father 319 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 2: left when I was very young. I never saw him again, 320 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 2: so we grow up fatherless. My mother had to work 321 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 2: my older brother took me to games a couple of 322 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 2: times when I was we didn't have money to go 323 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 2: to games or anything. I had to work most of 324 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:23,400 Speaker 2: my time since I was like nine years old to help, 325 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:25,600 Speaker 2: you know, put some you know, food on the table. 326 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 2: I always had a knack for this stuff when I 327 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 2: was young. It wasn't like anybody taught me. I taught myself. 328 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 2: I've been lucky enough to have a lot of people 329 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 2: I've met through the years who have been very good 330 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 2: at teaching me different things. I spent a lot of 331 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:45,160 Speaker 2: years working with Arab Passeigan, who was a football wizard 332 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 2: at CBS. Musburger was a guy I learned a lot 333 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 2: from When I was young. Bill pass Els and I 334 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 2: have always been very very close, So I've learned a 335 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 2: lot of football from those guys. I got a chance 336 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:01,200 Speaker 2: to spend a lot of time around Bob Knight, I 337 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 2: learned basketball. I think I've spent time around. I've been 338 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 2: lucky to spend it around a lot of people who 339 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 2: helped teach me the games the right way and put 340 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 2: a lot of pressure on me to learn it the 341 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 2: right way. So I think that was just thing positive. 342 00:16:14,760 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 3: And so, Mike, how do you get together with Chris Russo, 343 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:22,520 Speaker 3: what's the mad dog Mike meet cute story? 344 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 2: Oh, shotgun marriage? It was. So, here's what happens. I'm 345 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 2: filling in for Pete Franklin, who has been ill. He 346 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 2: had a three year contract. He came from Cleveland. He 347 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 2: never caught on in New York. So they're going to 348 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 2: move on now. Was the time when I'm filling in 349 00:16:39,160 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 2: for him over the summer, I didn't realize I was 350 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 2: doing really well in the ratings. I wasn't cognizant and 351 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 2: small enough yet savvy enough to understand the ratings. I 352 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 2: hadn't been the business long enough. If I did, it 353 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 2: could have been a different because I might have implied 354 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 2: some pressure, which I didn't think I had the ability 355 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 2: to do that. I thought I had to just do 356 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 2: what they said. They called me in at the time. 357 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 2: Dog is doing really well. He's catching on what I 358 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 2: am miss. He's got a little bit of a following. 359 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:05,919 Speaker 2: They called me and said, you know what, we're not 360 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 2: getting a new Pete Franklin in September. We're going to 361 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:11,920 Speaker 2: put you in Afternoon Drive. I'm like, great, this is great. 362 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 2: You won't regret it. And they said we have the 363 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,880 Speaker 2: show Mike and the Mad Dog, and I said, no way, 364 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 2: no way. In the Afternoon Drive. I don't want to 365 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:24,919 Speaker 2: work with mad Dog, I said, I don't even like 366 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:28,560 Speaker 2: mad Dog. I want to work, I said, I've only 367 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 2: heard him a couple of times. I want to I'm 368 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:32,680 Speaker 2: a solo act. I don't want to work with anybody. 369 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 2: They said, either you work with Dog in the afternoon 370 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 2: in ten days, or you don't go to Afternoon Drive. 371 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 2: Your call. I'm like, I didn't think I had any leverage. 372 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 2: I didn't realize they did. I go home, make a decision. 373 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 2: I'll do it. He obviously doesn't want to do it either, 374 00:17:55,560 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 2: but decides we'll both do it. A lot of people 375 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:01,280 Speaker 2: thought it was a big mistake. They're not gonna mesh. 376 00:18:01,560 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 2: It's not gonna work. Well. It starts off and we 377 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:07,679 Speaker 2: hate each other and we are trying to one up 378 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 2: each other, and we're fighting and we're screaming, and the 379 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,880 Speaker 2: show is awful, and the program director calls me and says, 380 00:18:13,880 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 2: you know, the general manager, you didn't want this show. 381 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 2: I just didn't believe in this show. I'm gonna get 382 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 2: fired because of the show. This was my great idea, 383 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:24,400 Speaker 2: and you guys are blowing it. I'm telling you we'll 384 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 2: take both of you down with me because you know what, 385 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 2: I'm gonna get fired do something. So we go back. 386 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 2: Nothing's working. I come up with a gimmick called Dog 387 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:37,680 Speaker 2: Date Afternoon I was married, Dog was single. He bought 388 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 2: into it. It became a sensation. Now at the same time, 389 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:44,399 Speaker 2: the first book comes out, the rating book. Rating books 390 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:47,440 Speaker 2: are at that time, they're every three months. In radio, 391 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 2: before that was just trends. The first rating period comes out, 392 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:57,080 Speaker 2: the first trend, and we go from eleventh to third. 393 00:18:57,560 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: Wow. 394 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 2: And then the book comes out and second and people 395 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 2: are like, who were saying, we wouldn't have finished fifteenth? 396 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:07,119 Speaker 2: A sports show would never work in afternoon drive. No 397 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 2: one could ever do a full time sports show in 398 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:11,400 Speaker 2: New York and get away with it. We're now number two, 399 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:15,520 Speaker 2: and we know now we're not going anywhere. Within six months, 400 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 2: we're in number one by four points. 401 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:18,440 Speaker 6: Wow. 402 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 2: And we knew that no matter what we did. What 403 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 2: we both did was rip up our contracts and get 404 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:28,800 Speaker 2: new deals. And we realized that despite all our issues, 405 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 2: that we were stuck together. And we were stuck together 406 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 2: for twenty years. And you know why. It works so well. 407 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:37,879 Speaker 2: You know why it's the best sports stock show of 408 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:41,720 Speaker 2: all time by a mile, because you had two guys 409 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:46,879 Speaker 2: who understood how to work together and play off each other, 410 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 2: but both thought they were better individually and alone than 411 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:54,560 Speaker 2: they were together their whole careers. 412 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 1: Wow, So do you still feel that way? 413 00:19:57,560 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 6: Yep. 414 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 2: Now listen, he's still working twenty years later, doing really well. 415 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 2: I was number one the rest of my life after 416 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 2: he left, for the rest of my years, and that 417 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 2: was about when he left. I worked eleven straight years 418 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 2: and was number one the whole time. So I think 419 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:20,160 Speaker 2: we both proved a point and we were right together, 420 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 2: and we were great apart. And the reason why we 421 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 2: were so great together is because we're great apart. 422 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:41,200 Speaker 7: Yeah, and so what was it like when you did 423 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 7: split up? 424 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: What was that weird for you? Like? How did you 425 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:45,160 Speaker 1: very weird job? 426 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:49,080 Speaker 2: So the show? Now he left and they were really 427 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 2: mad at him for leaving. Now, remember the station had 428 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:55,600 Speaker 2: just had had the same afternoon and morning drive for 429 00:20:55,760 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 2: eighteen years, number one billing station in America many years. 430 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 2: I am is in the morning, Mike and Amans are 431 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:05,920 Speaker 2: going the afternoon, the most accessible station in the country. 432 00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:09,840 Speaker 2: They never had to think about anything for eighteen years 433 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 2: and now Dog leaves, So now what they've had for 434 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:18,120 Speaker 2: all these years is gone. So did I feel pressure? Enormous, 435 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 2: enormous pressure that a lot of people said I was 436 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 2: not going to make it, it was not going to 437 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,920 Speaker 2: be the same. And I actually did better in the ratings, 438 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:29,439 Speaker 2: which I was very proud of. But I have to 439 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:32,400 Speaker 2: tell you, I really was worried. I have to admit, 440 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:34,479 Speaker 2: because I was like, if I fail, I'm never going 441 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:37,080 Speaker 2: to forgive myself and never hear the end of it. 442 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 2: But didn't happen. 443 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 5: So, Mike, I want to go back to what you said, 444 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 5: which is really interesting, like the amount of pressure Mad 445 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:45,400 Speaker 5: Dog leaves. 446 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 6: Now you're like a one man show. 447 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 5: How much different was the preparation where you're one solo 448 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:54,439 Speaker 5: act for multiple hours versus being with Mad Dog with 449 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 5: a co pilot. 450 00:21:55,680 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 2: The preparation wasn't different, but the show is completely different. Well, 451 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:03,040 Speaker 2: because when you have a two man show, you had 452 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:07,520 Speaker 2: to realize early on that we sat down at the beginning, 453 00:22:07,600 --> 00:22:09,920 Speaker 2: a lot of stuff has to be thought out when 454 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:12,920 Speaker 2: you're a two man show. Like we sat down early 455 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 2: on and I said to the producer, Hey, everybody's gonna 456 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 2: always ask me because they think I'm the sports guy. 457 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 2: They're gonna ask me every question. We need to have 458 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:27,120 Speaker 2: Dog answer the phones. I'm not gonna answer the phones 459 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:29,399 Speaker 2: so that they talked to Dog first. Otherwise they're not 460 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:32,120 Speaker 2: gonna talk to him. So we have to have him. 461 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:35,520 Speaker 2: So what people don't realize is you have to have 462 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:40,920 Speaker 2: a division of labor to make those work. Twenty years, 463 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:43,320 Speaker 2: Mike and the Mad Dog, I never opened the show 464 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:46,480 Speaker 2: or close the show. You listen to two man shows, 465 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 2: they'll be good night, good night, good night, good night, 466 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 2: five times good night because they each want to say 467 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:56,200 Speaker 2: good night or hello. I never ever said hello, and 468 00:22:56,240 --> 00:23:01,400 Speaker 2: I never ever said goodbye, and I never once welcomed 469 00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 2: in a phone call. In twenty years. 470 00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:06,240 Speaker 5: Wow, and I've watched probably as many show as anybody. 471 00:23:06,359 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 6: I've never noticed that as. 472 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:09,720 Speaker 2: A st No one knows that because we had to 473 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 2: have a division of labor. 474 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:15,360 Speaker 3: Mike, if you think about decisions like that, like how 475 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:18,360 Speaker 3: much of it is instinct, how much of it is 476 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 3: just learning from doing? Help us understand the the Mike 477 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:24,600 Speaker 3: Francesa's secret sauce here. 478 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 2: All right, listen. It was my job to plan the 479 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:30,320 Speaker 2: show every day and that I would say, here's what 480 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:33,199 Speaker 2: we're gonna open with, here's what the story today is, 481 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:36,080 Speaker 2: here's where we're gonna go. Okay. Now, some days he 482 00:23:36,119 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 2: might have an idea, and I'm not saying we wouldn't 483 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 2: open with that, but most times that was my job, okay. 484 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 2: And we always had an idea. We always knew where 485 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 2: we were gonna go. But there were days where the 486 00:23:45,119 --> 00:23:48,120 Speaker 2: show was slow, where we say we need to turn 487 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 2: this over because it was flat, or I'd say come 488 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:54,720 Speaker 2: not a commercial and say follow me. If I said 489 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:59,239 Speaker 2: follow me, he could follow me. Unbelievably. He knew how 490 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:01,680 Speaker 2: to play the clown. I knew how to reel them 491 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 2: out like a fishing rod. I would cast them out 492 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:06,800 Speaker 2: and reel them in. I would cast them out and 493 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:08,760 Speaker 2: reel them in. I would cast them out and make 494 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:11,159 Speaker 2: them nuts and have them go crazy. I would let 495 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:13,400 Speaker 2: them out, reel them in. That was my job. 496 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:16,719 Speaker 3: So Alex mentioned that, you know, now we find you 497 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:20,720 Speaker 3: on a platform wherever, obviously very familiar with the podcasting platform. 498 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 3: How has that transition been for you? 499 00:24:24,960 --> 00:24:25,520 Speaker 1: How? 500 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:27,480 Speaker 3: How is it the same, how is it different? And 501 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:28,680 Speaker 3: how do you approach it? 502 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:31,120 Speaker 2: It's not any different. I don't approach it any differently, 503 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:36,440 Speaker 2: except it's not Paul eccentric. It is top eccentric. 504 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 1: Right. 505 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 2: So during football season, I love this. I will do 506 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:45,000 Speaker 2: a Wednesday live show and this year they've now created 507 00:24:45,040 --> 00:24:48,720 Speaker 2: for me the Mike Francesc Channel on YouTube, so I 508 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:51,359 Speaker 2: have my own channel now. Also, I've been doing a 509 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 2: lot of audio, but I'm going to do a lot 510 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:55,760 Speaker 2: of video too, and I'll have a huge audience and 511 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:58,719 Speaker 2: they'll listen to it. Some will stay up and watch it. 512 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:02,800 Speaker 2: Others well brand it Monday morning as the taking the 513 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 2: train or wherever, or listening in their car. You know, 514 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:07,960 Speaker 2: this is now very different from the old days because 515 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:12,080 Speaker 2: now it's appointment radio. You can listen to anything anytime 516 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:15,359 Speaker 2: you want, which is something you didn't have. You know, 517 00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:18,280 Speaker 2: in the old days, no one people would wait in 518 00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:21,240 Speaker 2: their car and tell me they changed their lunch hour 519 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:23,960 Speaker 2: from twelve to one to one to two so that 520 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 2: they could hear the open of the show. 521 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:28,560 Speaker 5: Hey, Mike, I love the fact that you have a 522 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 5: video element, and for someone who's heard you as much 523 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 5: as anyone. But Jason, let me bring you behind the 524 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:37,159 Speaker 5: scenes a little bit on Mike and I's relationship. 525 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:39,639 Speaker 6: You know, when my partner and I Mark Laurie. 526 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 5: We're pursuing the Mets, and thank goodness that Steve con 527 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:45,760 Speaker 5: won that deal because we're very happy with the Timberloves. 528 00:25:45,880 --> 00:25:48,080 Speaker 6: But as we were pursuing that, it was it was 529 00:25:48,119 --> 00:25:49,360 Speaker 6: a very long. 530 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:53,439 Speaker 5: Entiresome process, probably seven eight months along those and that 531 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 5: was around COVID. I would tick in with Mike all 532 00:25:56,280 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 5: the time because no one knows that fan base better 533 00:25:58,600 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 5: than Mike. 534 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:03,160 Speaker 6: Princessa period story, and when he was giving me this. 535 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 5: Advice, I quickly found out, I'm like this guy, Mike 536 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:11,200 Speaker 5: Prosessa could be an incredible asset to Mark and I 537 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 5: and I was going to offer from a huge job 538 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:14,800 Speaker 5: with us with the Matt's huge I don't know if 539 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:18,480 Speaker 5: it would have taken it, but I'm surprised, Mike that 540 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 5: more people in ownership management haven't approached you to dig 541 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:27,040 Speaker 5: into your your rolodex, the way you think about sports, 542 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:29,960 Speaker 5: connecting with the fan base, and your knowledge of sports. 543 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:32,760 Speaker 6: I know football, but baseballs, because what I heard your 544 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:33,760 Speaker 6: most is what I know most. 545 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,520 Speaker 5: Anyone besides us that was kind of thinking about bringing 546 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:39,400 Speaker 5: you into the front office, and that's something. 547 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:39,760 Speaker 6: You would consider. 548 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:43,680 Speaker 2: I have to tell you a couple of ownership groups 549 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:46,760 Speaker 2: called me up about different things. One called me up 550 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:49,919 Speaker 2: and asked me what the big that happened? Once? You 551 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 2: know that when you talked about that, I told you 552 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:55,400 Speaker 2: about a couple of the ownership groups that I knew 553 00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:58,199 Speaker 2: were doing what because a couple of them had called me. 554 00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:00,639 Speaker 2: You actually know a couple of the other guys. Obviously 555 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:03,479 Speaker 2: we don't need to say the names. But there were 556 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:05,399 Speaker 2: a lot of people in on the met thing. But 557 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 2: you know, I like business, I like the stock market. 558 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 2: I like business. I've always managed my own affairs. I 559 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:16,040 Speaker 2: haven't had an agent. I manage my own affairs. Once 560 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 2: in a while, I use Mike Levine, who runs CAAA. 561 00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:20,439 Speaker 2: If I have a big deal, like bringing Mike Levine, 562 00:27:20,440 --> 00:27:22,680 Speaker 2: who's a friend of mine, to do it. But otherwise 563 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:25,480 Speaker 2: I do it myself. I did my last four or 564 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:28,440 Speaker 2: five FAAN contracts with myself and Milk Commerson. I did 565 00:27:28,440 --> 00:27:33,240 Speaker 2: it myself with Lessman invest and with Melcomerson, myself. No agent. Wow. 566 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:36,840 Speaker 3: All right, So as we start to wrap up here, Mike, 567 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:39,080 Speaker 3: I got to ask you, what do you think is 568 00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:42,560 Speaker 3: the most compelling sports story in New York? 569 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: Right now? You know it better than anyone like, what's. 570 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:48,880 Speaker 3: The story that just either like needs to be told 571 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:51,840 Speaker 3: more or has really just gripped your attention? 572 00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 2: All right, we have actually right now in New York 573 00:27:55,840 --> 00:28:00,119 Speaker 2: a very juicy time. So we have. If I if 574 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:02,000 Speaker 2: you had asked me this eighteen months ago, I would 575 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 2: have said nothing. But now I will give you three. Okay, okay. 576 00:28:08,119 --> 00:28:12,520 Speaker 2: Number one, without any question is Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. Now, 577 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:15,840 Speaker 2: Aaron Rodgers is from Mars Okay. As a person, He's 578 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:19,640 Speaker 2: from Mars Okay or Jupiter. I'm not sure which one. 579 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:22,320 Speaker 2: But let me say this, in all my years of 580 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 2: watching football, he might be the most talented quarterback I've 581 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:28,000 Speaker 2: ever seen. I didn't say the winning is. I didn't 582 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:31,280 Speaker 2: say the clutches. I said the most talented. And he 583 00:28:31,359 --> 00:28:34,360 Speaker 2: is the most accurate pastor I've ever seen. I think 584 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:36,480 Speaker 2: he has a lot left. I think the Jets if 585 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 2: he and the left tackle stay healthy and the coach 586 00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:41,120 Speaker 2: doesn't screw it up, and I think the coach is 587 00:28:41,160 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 2: a real detriment, I believe they could have a great season, 588 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:46,960 Speaker 2: and I'm talking about a super season. 589 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:47,880 Speaker 1: Wow. 590 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:52,880 Speaker 2: Number two, the Knicks are fascinating. For so long, the 591 00:28:53,040 --> 00:28:56,360 Speaker 2: Knicks rivaled the Mets and the Jets. All three of 592 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 2: them could screw up a one car funeral. Okay, they've 593 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:03,760 Speaker 2: all He's been able to do that, and now they 594 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:07,560 Speaker 2: have done nothing wrong and they are on the verge. 595 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:11,360 Speaker 2: They got very lucky with Brunson because listen, I've always 596 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:13,600 Speaker 2: been a Villanova guy, and I loved the Villanova teams. 597 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:16,160 Speaker 2: I loved Brunson. I thought he could play in the league. 598 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:17,960 Speaker 2: I thought he could be a starter in the league. 599 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:20,479 Speaker 2: I never thought he could be anything like this in 600 00:29:20,520 --> 00:29:23,600 Speaker 2: the league. Ever, no one did. Now they have a 601 00:29:23,640 --> 00:29:28,520 Speaker 2: team that is on the verge of being a championship contender, 602 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:31,720 Speaker 2: and they have made no wrong moves. They are one 603 00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:35,800 Speaker 2: move away, and then the third one is tied into 604 00:29:35,840 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 2: both teams. It's the future of Soto. I'm telling you, 605 00:29:41,080 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 2: I don't see how writing him a six hundred million 606 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 2: dollars check, and I don't see him taking a dollar 607 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:50,160 Speaker 2: less than five point fifty And would judge there, how 608 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:52,160 Speaker 2: do you give him two hundred and fifty million less 609 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:56,520 Speaker 2: than Soto? And Soto there and the Mets flurking. I 610 00:29:56,560 --> 00:30:01,400 Speaker 2: think the Sodo thing is going to be fascinating, absolutely fascinating. 611 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:04,400 Speaker 2: The missive overachieved. Just the fact that they're playing important 612 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:08,000 Speaker 2: games is better than anybody thought. The Yankees are not 613 00:30:08,160 --> 00:30:10,280 Speaker 2: that good because to be honest, I've been a five 614 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:13,600 Speaker 2: hundred team since June first, and I don't think they're 615 00:30:13,640 --> 00:30:16,560 Speaker 2: gonna make the World Series. And then the sobo thing 616 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:21,040 Speaker 2: is gonna be fascinating, absolutely fascinating, because I think Hal 617 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 2: has a budget more than he has a design on 618 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:26,760 Speaker 2: another championship, Mike. 619 00:30:26,840 --> 00:30:30,480 Speaker 5: And that to your point, just to add insult to injury, 620 00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:33,960 Speaker 5: the representative of US. 621 00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:37,680 Speaker 2: You know, he's gonna start his five hundred million dollars. 622 00:30:37,960 --> 00:30:40,320 Speaker 5: Oh man, he's looking down a townty deal for seven 623 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:41,480 Speaker 5: hundred million, and he's gonna. 624 00:30:41,280 --> 00:30:44,880 Speaker 2: Say hey, and the pressure and the pressure from the 625 00:30:44,920 --> 00:30:47,680 Speaker 2: Play Association is going to be enormous. 626 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:52,040 Speaker 3: Massive, absolutely absolutely Well Mike, you have been incredibly gracious 627 00:30:52,040 --> 00:30:52,600 Speaker 3: with your time. 628 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:55,280 Speaker 1: We really really appreciate it. Thank you so much, Thank. 629 00:30:55,080 --> 00:30:57,240 Speaker 6: You, Thank you the best. Thank you, buddy, Thank you. 630 00:31:05,480 --> 00:31:08,560 Speaker 3: The Deal is hosted by Alex Rodriguez and me Jason Kelly. 631 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:12,880 Speaker 3: This episode was made by Stacey Wong, Annamazarakus, Lizzie Phillip, 632 00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:16,680 Speaker 3: and Victor Eveez. Our theme music was made by Blake Maples. 633 00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 3: Our executive producers are Kelly Laferrier, Ashley Honig, and Brendan Newnham. 634 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:25,600 Speaker 3: Sage Bauman is the head of Bloomberg Podcasts. Additional support 635 00:31:25,640 --> 00:31:28,560 Speaker 3: from Rachel Scaramzzino and Elena Los Angeles. 636 00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:30,320 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to the deal. 637 00:31:30,560 --> 00:31:33,200 Speaker 3: If you have a minute, please subscribe, rate, and review 638 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:36,840 Speaker 3: our show. It'll help other listeners find us. And remember, 639 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:39,160 Speaker 3: if you're a Bloomberg subscriber, you can listen to all 640 00:31:39,160 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 3: of our episodes absolutely ad free on Apple Podcasts. All 641 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:44,880 Speaker 3: you need to do is find the Bloomberg channel and 642 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:46,240 Speaker 3: connect your Bloomberg account. 643 00:31:46,520 --> 00:31:48,400 Speaker 1: I'm Jason Kelly. See you next week.