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Mike Francesa and top WFAN hosts asked to take pay cut by Entercom

By Andrew Marchand

April 2, 2020 | 12:54pm

https://nypost.com/2020/04/02/mike-francesa-and-top-wfan-hosts-asked-to-take-pay-cut-by-entercom/

As part of its layoff and furlough plan brought on by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, WFAN’s parent company, Entercom, has asked its top hosts, from Mike Francesa to Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti, to take pay cuts of 20 percent and forgo bonuses through near the end of July, The Post has learned.

Sources said Entercom COO Susan Larkin had a conference call with WFAN staff Thursday morning in which she laid out that contracted employees, like Francesa, Esiason and Giannotti, who make $250,000 or more will be asked to take a 20 percent pay cut.

Those in the $100,000 to $250,000 range will be requested to accept a 15 percent reduction.

Those in the $50,000 to $100,000 range will be asked to take a 10 percent cut.

Entercom CEO David Field said he would be taking a 30 percent cut in a memo first reported by the site Radio & Television Business Report.

Those without contracts will have no choice but to accept the new financial stipulations. Those with contracts could decline or negotiate new terms.

On Thursday afternoon, longtime update man, John Minko, a FAN original from 1987, announced on Francesa’s Radio.com show that he has taken a buyout. Friday will be his final day. The 67-year-old known as the “Mink Man” has been a part of the fabric of the station’s sound throughout its more than three decades.

Esiason, for one, told The Post he will help out Entercom.
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Beloved WFAN update man announces he's leaving

“I’m willing to sacrifice for the betterment of everybody,” Esiason told The Post.

Esiason indicated the whole “Morning Show with Boomer & Gio” crew would stay intact and not be impacted by the dismissals.

Besides the furloughs, FAN will have layoffs. Entercom laid off hosts at other stations Thursday, but it is not known if anyone in New York will be a part of them. The reduction that Entercom plans to enact would be in effect, at this point, until July 23.

Entercom declined comment.

In other news, Francesa seemed as if he were attempting to shut down the Twitter account, @BackAftaThis, which is famous for replaying clips of his program. Francesa said that if anyone publishes audio or video from his show they will need express written consent of FAN/Entercom.

Francesa said they would be hearing from the company’s lawyers, if not. Francesa mentioned his viral rant against Donald Trump’s handling of COVID-19 as the impetus for the decision.