Francesa Advises Leaving NY to Those Looking to Break Into Sports Radio | Bob's Blitz

Francesa Advises Leaving NY to Those Looking to Break Into Sports Radio


Recent Connecticut School of Broadcasting graduate looking to break into radio? Finishing up that internship now that summer is over? WFAN's Mike Francesa (above, with Rex Ryan) has a suggestion for you - leave:

“I always tell people who want to get into this business to go get out of town so you can put your own imprint on a show,” Francesa said. “You’ll have your own résumé, your own ratings, your own show ratings growth rather than just being a fill-in for people because then it’s just very subjective and you don’t have anything a program director can look at. For Gregg [WFAN's 2010 Fantasy Phenom Challenge winner Gress Sussman], it’s a different story because he’s way ahead of the game. Getting a year’s experience at (WFAN) is like sitting on the bench with the Yankees for a year. It’s an enormous thing to start at the FAN, and to get a year under your belt at such a young age is an enormous advantage.”

V/P Sports Programming CBS Radio, V/P Programming CBS Radio New York, and WFAN Operations Manager Mark Chernoff said that while Sussman 'exceeded his expectations,' a full-time gig was not in the cards. He'll be replaced by today's Fantasy Phenom Challenge winner, though he will be asked to do fill-in work.

Five finalists will compete at Mike Francesa’s Summer Beach Party today at Bar A in Belmar. Neeraj Joshi from New York, New York; Patrick Creighton from Bethpage, New York; Mike McMaster from Basking Ridge, New Jersey; Patrick Totaro from Brick, New Jersey and John Jastremski from Staten Island, New York.

The best thing about WFAN incorporating the contest with Francesa's Bar A show? Less time for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes to perform.

(Photo above via Matthew Funtime)

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