Behind the Broadcast: Split shakes up radio sports talk

I was set to write about NBC’s Summer Olympics coverage and the spectacular ratings it was

receiving so far. I was going to offer some other thoughts of what I have seen during the first week.

But on Thursday night, a big

story broke. It wasn’t shocking, but it was the end of a long partnership.

After almost 19 years together, the hosts of “Mike and the Mad Dog” on WFAN-AM (660) — Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo — are going their separate ways. The station announced Thursday that Russo is leaving, and that Francesa has signed a new contract to do the 1-6:30 p.m. shift alone. Newsday TV columnist Neil Best, who first broke the news in June that Francesa and Russo were on the verge of splitting up, reported on his blog Thursday night that Russo could end up at Sirius Satellite Radio.

“It’s kind of a sad day,” Russo told Best. “It’s a very strange day in my life.”

Said Francesa to Newsday: “I think it has to sink in. It’ll be very different when I finally get back in the fall.”

The duo is responsible for the birth of sports talk as a radio format. Their energy, enthusiasm and conflicts paved the way for other

stations around the country to try the format. And, unfortunately, some of the personalities out there today are more interested in hearing their own voices, and not the callers who want to state their opinions.

Let’s face it: If there wasn’t a “Mike and the Mad Dog,” there probably wouldn’t be an ESPN

Radio, or a Fox Sports Radio.

The fun of the divorce between Francesa and Russo is to see if they can make it on their own. When they would do the show solo, it wasn’t the same. Russo has a habit of going overboard with his opinions, which you could tell when he would start to shout. Francesa knows his stuff, but can be condescending.

But together, they were magic. For a time, WROW-AM (590) carried the show. The YES Network has simulcasted the program. And they were just at Giants camp at the University at Albany on Aug. 8. That turned out to be the last time they worked together. Russo was on vacation this week.

To me, the breakup ranks up there with The Beatles. But will Francesa and Russo be like John, Paul, George and Ringo, and have good solo careers? Or will they be like aging rock bands who break up and, a few years down the road, get back together for one last big pay day.

Now, that’s a great topic for a sports talk show.

sinkoff on shelf

Brian Sinkoff, host of “Sound-Off with Sinkoff” on WTMM-FM (104.5), was out this week — he called it the five-day disabled list — after undergoing surgery on his right elbow on Monday.

Sinkoff said he’s been bothered with a nerve rubbing against a ligament for nearly a year.

“I’m a Yankees’ pitcher,” said Sinkoff, referring to the recent rash of injuries the team’s pitchers have suffered.

Sinkoff had substitute hosts during the week, including WXXA

(Ch. 23) weekend sports anchor Scott Morlock, who, while discussing how the Jets will do with show producer and Jets fan Alan Fish. Fish predicted a 13-3 season, and Morlock responded by saying he would walk from the WXXA studios to the WTMM studios if that happens.

I’ll hold Morlock to that.

Sinkoff expects to be back at work Monday.

High school football

The high school football season is almost upon us, and Gloversville radio station WENT-AM (1340) has announced its regular-season broadcast schedule.

The first game will be Sept. 5, when Cohoes visits Johnstown at 6:50 p.m. The rest of the schedule has Bishop Maginn at Gloversville Sept. 12 at 6:50 p.m.; Hoosic Valley at Fonda-Fultonville Sept. 13 at 12:50 p.m.; Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake at Gloversville Sept. 19 at 6:50 p.m.; Johnstown at Schalmont Sept. 26 at 6:50 p.m.; Tamarac at Fonda-Fultonville Sept. 27 at 12:50 p.m.; Broadalbin-Perth at Johnstown Oct. 3 at 6:50 p.m.; Amsterdam at Gloversville Oct. 10 at 6:50 p.m.; Watervliet at Fonda-Fultonville Oct. 11 at 12:50 p.m.; and either Johnstown at Hudson Falls or Gloversville at Glens Falls Oct. 18 at 1:20 p.m.

Tom Roehl and Alex Isabel will call the games for the 24th consecutive year.

NHL TV

The NHL TV schedules came out Thursday, which is very exciting.

Versus, the cable home of the NHL, drops the puck on its fourth season of coverage with a double-header Sunday, Oct. 5. The first game will feature the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning, with new coach and Glens Falls resident Barry Melrose, at noon from Prague. That will be followed at 2:30 p.m. by the defending Eastern Conference-champion Pittsburgh Penguins facing the Ottawa Senators from Stockholm.

Versus’ first North American games will be Thursday, Oct. 8. The Detroit Red Wings will raise the Stanley Cup champion banner when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 8 p.m. At 10:30 p.m., the Boston Bruins visit the Colorado Avalanche.

Versus will televise 56 regular season games, the All-Star weekend festivities, including the All-Star game form Montreal on Sunday, Jan. 25, and the Stanley Cup playoffs, including the first two games of the finals.

NBC begins its coverage New Year’s Day with the second annual Winter Classic. The Chicago Blackhawks will host the Red Wings at Wrigley Field at 1 p.m.

NBC’s game of the week coverage starts Sunday, Jan. 18, with the Penguins facing the Rangers. Once again, NBC will have flex scheduling. It will pick a game to broadcast about 10-14 days out. NBC will televise nine regular season games, and several playoff games, including Games 3-7 of the finals.

There is a link to the Versus schedule on my blog.

parting shots

Brett Favre makes his Jets debut tonight at 7 when they play the Washington Redskins. WRGB

(Ch. 6) will carry the game. . . .

ESPN televises the New York

Giants against the Cleveland Browns at 8 p.m. Monday. . . .

Time Warner Cable channel 3 will televise the New York-Penn League All-Star game at 7 p.m. Tuesday from Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.