Mike Francesa hates acknowledging the existence of Craig Carton, and apart from an early statement, that trend continued on one of the most explosive days in WFAN history.
After Carton, half of “Boomer and Carton,” was arrested on federal fraud charges, Francesa took the mic with a rarely seen muzzle over his mouth. With a chance to gloat over Carton, a perpetual thorn in his side who constantly punches up, Francesa right away stated he is not allowed to sniff this topic.
“On this show we don’t dodge things, we never have,” Francesa began. “We know what the news of the day is. Let me just say this for all of you. The company has put out a statement. For the present that statement has to suffice as the only statement that will be made. That is what the company wants until further notice. That is what they have informed me.
“So don’t call up asking me any questions about anything that’s going on pertaining to that because I cannot answer it right now. The statement, which I’m sure you’ve seen, if you’re interested — that is right now the statement that stands for the company and it’s the only statement they want made right now.”
Earlier, WFAN released a statement saying, “We are aware of the situation and are cooperating with authorities.”
Carton was busted by the FBI for allegedly running a ticket-sale scam that defrauded millions from investors. According to court papers, Carton was trying to escape his own gambling debt of “millions of dollars.”
Carton has been a frequent Francesa critic, a WFAN employee who knows poking the beast will make headlines and ratings. Francesa has rarely retorted.