OTish: End of Mike & Mike coming soon?
ESPN brass is transferring "Greenie" to lead a morning newsy/talky TV show. Unclear if Golic stays on the radio, or if the show gets entirely new talent. Golic Jr. potentially in running for that. WOTS is this will happen "sooner rather than later."
http://sports.yahoo.com/m/32553f15-33a8-34b1-80bc-3b085ce3e910/ss_sourc…
Lots of folks here bash M&M a lot, but I also suspect a lot of us listen to them driving to work each morning. I find myself disagreeing with them (esp Greenie) far more often than nodding in approval. Golic pretty much is Mr. Obvious. They are huge Harbaugh fans, esp Greenie.
IIRC, they are in the radio hall of fame, their show has been on for nearly two decades. It's easy to decry them as uninformed / generic talking heads, but it's still a pretty impressive run they've had. And a few good moments too (Greenie milking the cow was effing classic).
January 12th, 2017 at 6:23 PM ^
ESPN is bleeding red ink. Top talent is leaving while ESPN cuts costs. The place is a joke compared to what it once was.
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January 12th, 2017 at 6:31 PM ^
I don't pretend to know the financial situation of ESPN. It wouldn't surprise me if what you say is true though. Their overall product - sports news - has gone downhill for years. The days of Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann seem long gone (that was the last achnor duo that I enjoyed). Unfortunately, ESPN execs have seemed to read the same strategy playbook as their late-90s counterparts at MTV, and I'm not sure its working out ifor them.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:42 PM ^
It's because of the tv deals, and hiring retired athletes who still command a huge salary.
January 12th, 2017 at 8:18 PM ^
I didn't know they were still on the air!
January 12th, 2017 at 8:57 PM ^
It's because of the TV deals and changing viewer habits. Analysts salaries are way down on the list. They don't make as much as you would think.
January 12th, 2017 at 9:47 PM ^
They're losing massive amounts of revenue year-over-year from losing cable subscribers. Like over $100 million in revenue loss or something, and they have paid boatloads to broadcast live sports (NFL, for example). Here are a link discussing it: http://deadspin.com/espn-is-hemorrhaging-subscribers-and-pretending-it-…
This one discusses it from an investment/business angle, but does a decent job telling the story: http://seekingalpha.com/article/4016741-espn-losing-amazon-google-netfl…
January 13th, 2017 at 12:13 AM ^
Yep. Professional leagues and college conferences are eager to cash in now before things hit the fan. As much as people hate ESPN now imagine when you have to pay to watch every conference individually via their own steaming services
January 13th, 2017 at 7:21 AM ^
They are a multi billion dollar company. losing a hundred million (a bit exaggerated IMO) isn't spelling doom.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:44 PM ^
It may in part be content- and product-related, but they are suffering mostly from people dropping cable packages that include (like it or not) 11 different ESPNs. It's just that simple...
January 12th, 2017 at 6:45 PM ^
You're basically quoting Bill McAllister.
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January 12th, 2017 at 7:17 PM ^
They are the same person.
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January 12th, 2017 at 8:56 PM ^
They are not bleeding red ink. They are still very much in the black making billions a year. The difference is that instead of posting double digit percentage growths like they had been for years, they are now in the single digit range as the cable industry as a whole -- not just ESPN -- deal with shrinking subscriber bases and changing viewing habits.
As for the talent that left? Tirico is the only one I can think of that people actually like that could be described as a loss. Maybe Bill Simmons, but what has he done since leaving that makes you miss him? Which leaves us with jackasses like Cowherd and Bayless - two idiots behind many people's disdain for ESPN - and I don't think anyone would call the loss of them damaging to the ESPN brand.
January 12th, 2017 at 9:35 PM ^
Exactly. Is losing Cowherd and Skip a big deal? I like Lebatard and Russillo & Kanell a lot. Patrick Obermann have been gone for a long time. People hate on espn but I never watch FS1 or NBCSN.
January 12th, 2017 at 10:29 PM ^
People like to bash ESPN for not being the way they remember them 10-15 years ago, but the fact of the matter is they changed they way shows like Sportscenter are because viewing habits and the way people watch sports changed. If people still liked watching the old way, the ratings would back it up and they would still do it that way.
But with the internet, there's no reason for a wall to wall highlights show anymore. In the "glory days" you'd have to sit through 30-45min of highlights waiting/hoping they would show a Michigan, Pistons, Lions, etc highlight. No rundown on the side to tell you what was coming, just watch highlights of a bunch of teams you don't care about waiting for one you do. If you want a highlight now, just Google it and watch it. Boom, done.
January 12th, 2017 at 10:43 PM ^
over at Fox Sports radio, and now his show will be on Surius XM radio this month, so yes, it is a big deal.
January 13th, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^
FS1 shows ratings are going up but still getting their ass kicked. I don't know a single person that actually watches FS1.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:28 PM ^
They had a broad appeal - not too edgy or offensive - and provided the brand with a good platform for their tv programming. Good company men last long. I didn't hate them, but I always looked for an alternative during drive time.
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January 12th, 2017 at 6:39 PM ^
That is exactly why they are offensive.
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January 12th, 2017 at 6:41 PM ^
I once heard the show described as "Sports Talk for the corporate, middle-age man who is commuting to work and dropping the kids off at school."
Yep. That demographic also has $, of course, so it was a great platform in addition to being safe.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:29 PM ^
I've met skid row alkies who are more enlightening to listen to than Mike and Mike
January 12th, 2017 at 6:29 PM ^
maybe they will get a better......oh nevermind.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:48 PM ^
I like the show. I don't always agree with them, but that's the point of sports talk radio. I can respect guys who know their stuff and can have fun with the genre rather than flipping out.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:34 PM ^
I really enjoy SVP
January 12th, 2017 at 7:22 PM ^
So you're the one!
January 12th, 2017 at 8:10 PM ^
I loved SVP on the radio. Would listen when I could or catch the podcast later. I mostly enjoyed their discussions on pop culture and their ability to be self depricating. My issue with M&M is they seem to blatantly play the good cop/bad cop roles or just decide in pre production who is going to be on the different sides of the issues of the day.
January 12th, 2017 at 9:03 PM ^
Any Rich Eisen fans here? The homer quotient does it for me!
January 12th, 2017 at 9:13 PM ^
Usually catch the end of the DP show then Rich. iheart radio has made my life pretty good. I can listen to Detroit radio in Washington
January 12th, 2017 at 6:34 PM ^
I listen to is Howard Stern.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:58 PM ^
How anyone can listen to the hog shit he calls a show I will never understand.
January 12th, 2017 at 10:46 PM ^
The irony of your comment coming in a thread about M&M, the most milquetoast radio show in history is something.
January 12th, 2017 at 10:41 PM ^
from Steve Dahl.
January 12th, 2017 at 10:49 PM ^
Yeah, I remember when stern went to Shea and blew up disco records too. That was a doozy... /s
January 12th, 2017 at 6:35 PM ^
I dont dislike them. They have their own opinions that hardly ever fall in lockstep with the rest of ESPN.
I fucking loathe Danny Kinnel, so he can get fired ASAP.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:36 PM ^
When Mike and Mike first began airing, I enjoyed it very much and liked the banter and obvious differences between the Mikes.
Eventually, I thought the show became extremely formulatic and a caricature of itself. It was as if they were just following the same recycled "brainy metro guy vs. gregarious dumb jock" plotline.
January 12th, 2017 at 10:51 PM ^
Pardon my take does some killer parodies of them and Simmons every so often.
Pretty damn funny.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:37 PM ^
Golics kid is even worse. ESPN radio in general is awful. Local is getting bad, considering a move to satellite radio.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:48 PM ^
I can't live without Sirius now. I really like Zarzour & McElroy in the morning followed by Childers & Neuheisel. The best is Mark Packer at 4:00 est. Good stuff if you love College Football.
January 12th, 2017 at 8:59 PM ^
The first team is good, but Packer's show is boring to me.
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January 12th, 2017 at 11:41 PM ^
On the road every day. Between Zarzour and Mc Elroy, Childers and Neuheisel, and Carl and Dennis Paulson on PGA Radio, Sirius has my interests covered. I do like Dan Patrick's show, too.
Chris Childers is my favorite, though. So much enthusiasm.
January 12th, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
Be careful with SXM... once they have your contact info, they NEVER, EVER, EVER go away. I have a grandfather data plan on my cell and fortunately can stream through my car's bluetooth. I recommend anyone explore such alternatives prior to signing up for now-Clear Channel-run satellite radio.
January 12th, 2017 at 10:57 PM ^
Had Sirius for more than a decade and have cancelled at least 4 subscriptions without any issues.
My main subscriptions they always nearly give it away for me to stay. Best deal I got a bunch of times was 5 months for $25 + free internet radio for all access subs.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:37 PM ^
Those two are terrible. Amazing that they lasted this long.
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January 12th, 2017 at 6:37 PM ^
Greenie was entertaining for a while, but I am sick of his constant focus on off-the-field controversies. That is all he wants to talk about. Some talk about that is fine, but he is just always trying to create arguments.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:14 PM ^
And everything important to him: Jets, Northwestern, tennis, golf, etc
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January 12th, 2017 at 9:01 PM ^
Greenberg isn't going anywhere. They are building a new morning show on ESPN around him. Supposed to be in New York and that's all the details that are currently out about it.
No word on what will replace Mike and Mike or if Golic will be on the new show.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:38 PM ^
I listen to them every day. I don't always agree with Golic's rants but the show is great. I don't like Golic Jr or Trey Wingo. I'd rather see Adnan Virk get a shot.
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January 12th, 2017 at 6:39 PM ^
Mike and Mike made my commute to wrk at 6am actual enjoyable.. They're a great duo.
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January 12th, 2017 at 6:41 PM ^
I will miss them. I flip between them , Zarzour & McElroy, and WTKA in the mornings. I really like Greenie - I really dig his honesty and humility. Not much of a fan of Golic.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:44 PM ^
I still enjoy the Mike and Mike bantor even though it is getting stale. I do hate all the SEC-loving jackasses they bring on every day. And Jemele Hill. Grrrrrr.
I do like Mark Schlereth when he guests.
January 12th, 2017 at 6:47 PM ^
Here's a view of Greenie milking the cow, as the OP mentions....