Mike Francesa’s rabid fanbase, already treated to over 17 free hours of him weekly, will get to enjoy more on his new app … for a price.
New York sports fans already get just over at least 17 hours of Mike Francesa weekly. A select portion is about to slim down their wallets to heard a little bit more.
The polarizing New York sports host unveiled details about his new mobile on Thursday, including the surprising financial obligations. Entitled “Mike’s On,” the app will expand beyond his usual three and a half hours on WFAN every weekday.
The accompanying press release, shown alongside Francesa’s announcement, will accommodate Francesa’s football coverage, starting with “The Saturday Special,” which will focus on the day’s college action. The ensuing Sunday will showcase “Mike Francesa’s Football Sunday Show” previewing the day’s NFL games.
It all starts tomorrow. @MikeFrancesa pic.twitter.com/Sl8aVhFXbZ
— MIKE'S ON with Francesa (@mikeson) August 23, 2018
In addition to expanded football talk, the app will also feature a live video stream of Francesa in the studio during his weekday show, similar to his former simulcast on YES Network and Fox Sports, and also will allow Francesa to immediately comment on breaking events.
For example, Francesa remarked on Twitter that the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox game on Aug. 5 when the Red Sox completed a come-from-behind walk-off win to pull off a four-game sweep of their rivals, would be such an event to put him on the air.
The most talked about aspect, however, has been the surprising price, racking in at $8.99 per month, or a yearly subscription of $98.99, though it includes a two-week free trial. Paying users will also have access to discounted event tickets and merchandise.
Evidenced by the press release and the jaw-dropping cost, the outspoken Francesa has a lot of confidence in the new app as well as his hold on his vocal audience.
“I wanted to create my own exclusive platform to provide fans and subscribers with fresh content to complement the WFAN program they have known and trusted for decades, but with a level of information and immediacy they have never experienced before,” Francesa said in the release. “If it’s breaking news at 7 a.m. or 1 a.m. after a crushing defeat, fans will hear from me instantaneously. No barriers. No restrictions.”
None, of course, except for the massive price.
Having retired from the WFAN airwaves in December, Francesa, 64, returned to the afternoon drive slot, albeit in a shorter timeframe, earlier this spring.
The launch of the app will be commemorated on Friday afternoon, as Francesa will host a special extended edition of his traditional afternoon show at Bar A in Belmar, NJ, starting at 1 p.m. ET.