Mike Francesa Net Worth - Pulptastic

What is Mike Francesa’s Net Worth and Salary?

Mike Francesa, a renowned American radio talk show host and television commentator, has a net worth of $16 million. He earns an annual salary of $3 million.

Francesa is well-known for co-hosting the WFAN sports-talk program “Mike and the Mad Dog” with Chris Russo. The show ran from 1989 to 2008 and was immensely popular. Following that, he hosted “Mike’s On: Francesa on the FAN” and created content for the Radio.com platform.

Francesa started his career at College and Pro Football Newsweekly and was hired as a researcher by CBS Sports in 1982. He became a studio analyst for college football and basketball and was nicknamed “Brent Musburger’s brain”. Francesa turned down an offer to work for ESPN in 1991 and quit CBS in 1993.

Mike and the Mad Dog was simulcast on the YES Network and around the country on various syndicated stations. In 2007, the show was the #1 show in the country for men between 25 and 54 years old. The duo won the 2000 Marconi Award for Major Market Personality of the Year. In 2005, they broadcast live for 25 straight hours to raise money for charities.

In March 2014, Francesa’s new show started broadcasting nationally on television on Fox Sports 1. He has retired from broadcasting multiple times over the years, with his third retirement announced in the summer of 2020.

Early Life and Education

Mike Francesa was born on March 20, 1954 in Long Beach, New York as the second of three sons of Michael and Marilyn. His older brother is John, while his younger brother, Marty, killed himself in the early 90s. Francesa’s mother left the family when he was still a kid. He attended Maria Regina High School and later transferred to St. John’s University in Queens, where he studied communications and athletic administration and graduated in 1977.

Francesa’s Career at CBS Sports

In 1982, Francesa started at CBS Sports as a researcher and editorial assistant. He quickly gained recognition for his knowledge and was eventually promoted to studio analyst for college football and basketball games. After 11 years at CBS, Francesa resigned in April of 1993.

Francesa’s Rise to Fame on WFAN

After being rejected for a hosting job at WFAN, Francesa started as a weekend host covering college sports. He eventually became a guest host on other shows and was partnered with Ed Coleman for a morning-to-mid-afternoon slot. In 1989, he replaced Pete Franklin in the afternoon drive-time slot and co-hosted “Mike and the Mad Dog” with Chris Russo.

The show became a staple of the New York City sports scene and featured Francesa’s hard-hitting commentary and Russo’s boisterous tone. They won the Marconi Award for Major Market Personality of the Year in 2000, the first sports-talk hosts to ever win the honor. The show ran until 2008 and had many memorable moments, including a 25-hour broadcast that raised money for charitable groups.

Mike Francesa’s Radio Career

Mike Francesa hosted various radio shows including “The NFL Now” and contributed commentary to CBS Radio Network and Westwood One. He became the solo host of “Mike’s On: Francesa on the FAN” after the end of “Mike and the Mad Dog” in 2008. The show was simulcast on YES Network until 2014 and later broadcast on Fox Sports 1. However, Francesa’s contract ended in September 2015 due to a turbulent relationship with the network. He announced his retirement from WFAN in late 2017 and returned just four months after. He launched a subscription-based mobile application called Mike’s On in August 2018 and won the ratings book in the fall of the same year. In 2019, Francesa got into controversies with Michael Kay of “The Michael Kay Show,” shamed the New York Giants on air, and had frequently aggressive discussions with callers. He announced his second retirement in November 2019 but returned to host a new show in early 2020. Francesa announced his retirement for the third time in the summer of 2020.

Personal Life and Racing Career

Mike Francesa was first married to Kate in 1983, but they separated in 1994. In 2000, he married Rose and they have three children together – Harrison, Jack, and Emily. Francesa owns homes in Manhasset, New York and South Florida.

Francesa is also involved in horse racing through his JEH Racing Stable. In 2021, his horse High Oak won the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes, and the following year, he and Lee Einsidler won the Grade I Fourstardave Handicap with their horse Casa Creed.