Mike Francesa has been putting out some incredible content in recent months.
With the Mets making a surprise run to the NLCS, the Yankees making the World Series, and the Giants and Jets having nightmare seasons, Francesa has plenty to talk about in the world of New York sports.
The timing was fortunate as it coincided with the growing production capabilities of the BetRivers Podcast Network.
“As we moved into new territory with the company, I started doing more, and after the event, I did even more,” Francesa, 70, said in an exclusive conversation with The Post on Wednesday.
When Francesa had his legendary run on afternoon drive on WFAN, first with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and later as a solo host, fans had to wait until 1pm the day after the game to hear his thoughts.
During the first two years of his podcast, there were often delays until the show ended.
He now begins broadcasting live on YouTube immediately after games, including the Yankees and Mets’ playoff series and virtually every Giants and Jets game this season, as well as whenever major news breaks, and the podcast will soon be posted to a variety of audio platforms.
“We started doing a lot of things after the game that we hadn’t done before. I knew then that it would be very popular,” Francesa said.
“That was the biggest change of all. We started reacting immediately after the incident. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do. I don’t always have the opportunity to do such topical work at work. They have people who can contact me whenever I want.
“Now fans have a lot of opportunity to hear my story before they hear it from almost everyone else in New York, except maybe someone on the post-game show, because I put the material out so quickly.”
Francesa said a YouTube channel had always been in the company’s plans, but it took time to build the network first.
One standout moment was when Francesa went live with Barstool Sports during Game 5 of the World Series.
“I did it because my son Harrison works there. He was really the one who orchestrated it. Last year he worked with Frank the Tank and some top producers. He asked me to come in and do it for him,” Francesa said.
Francesa also has twins, Jack, who plays tight end at Hamilton College, and his younger sister, Emily, who studies at Villanova.
The network’s staying power is in part because millennials who grew up listening to “Mike and the Mad Dog” in the backseat of their father’s car remain connected to his content.
“When I went out to watch the St. John’s game yesterday, I was surprised by how many young people in their 20s came up to me and told me stories or things they had heard on the podcast. They always listen. It’s amazing how many times I hear that,” Francesa said. He noted that this is a special environment because, as a St. John’s graduate, he is being welcomed home.
“But still, I hear that all the time. I got that kind of response, especially from the Barstool folks. When you get in there, they’re all young. They are very polite, know a lot about your career and are very responsive to what you do. It’s really amazing. “It really is.”
Francesa has long had an incredible broadcasting ability, being able to speak in uninterrupted, perfectly formed paragraphs without any distinct notes for more than 30 minutes at a time.
“I don’t have any notes or anything. What I do is watch the game. I see everything. I’ll write down on paper what I want to remember. But when I take it to the studio, I don’t bring it,” Francesa said.
“I have a very good memory. If I say it or write it down, you’ll remember it. I remember times when I wanted to emphasize something. I’ve always been very good at organizing things in the way I want to say them. I can organize everything in my head and block it out in the order I want to say it.
“This is something I have a talent for. I don’t script anything. It’s all off the top of my head. I don’t have any employees and I do everything myself. I have a producer, but everything that comes out of my mouth is produced by me. “No one is giving me any information.”
Brian Monzo, who was with Francesa at WFAN, works with him on the BetRivers network show.
Francesa said doing digital shows “reinvigorates” him and keeps him “current.”
“I’m still watching everything.” Francesa said. “I’m still following everything. I don’t go to the games as much as I used to. I like watching the game and being able to react immediately.”
In recent months, Francesa has seemed particularly inspired by the downtrodden Giants and Jets seasons.
“Especially the Jets,” Francesa emphasized.
“I was fascinated by the whole Aaron Rodgers story from the beginning. Because you rarely get someone that good. His personality doesn’t really interest me, but I’m very interested in the football part. To see the greatest man in history come to this stage of his life and try to do this, and then watch with what we fear the most…
“My prediction was that this was a playoff team, but I kept emphasizing this spring that I was really afraid the coaching staff could take this team down. My worst fears came true. And they became weaker. [owner] woody [Johnson’s] Decision — I did not oppose Woody’s demotion [offensive coordinator Nathaniel] Hackett or remove [head coach Robert] Saleh. I thought Saleh was a bad manager. But he really weakened this team because he brought nothing to the table. He created employees who could practically do nothing!”
Francesa labeled the Jets “disappointing but exciting” because they “figured out a way to lose games,” pointing to missed kicks, poor coaching decisions and defensive breakdowns.
“It’s not an exaggeration at all to say the Jets were able to win the six games they lost this year. It’s not a stretch at all,” Francesa said.
He was surprised by how much “fuel” the Jets gave him in terms of situations to react to, and claimed there were “a minority” of opinion that the team should bring Rodgers back next year despite having an experienced coaching staff. This makes it clear to the quarterback that he is a player and not a personnel man.
The Giants have also generated enthusiasm for Francesa, but that enthusiasm has waned in recent weeks as their losses aren’t as exciting as the Jets’.
“Now the second part of the Giants’ season has been useless,” Francesa said.
“You can bash the Giants for a long time. There comes a point where it’s like kicking a dead body. There is nothing left. “It’s been like that for a few weeks now.”
