If Mike Greenberg wants to do a radio show again, and Mike Golic is looking to continue his hosting career, why not reunite one of sports radio’s most famous duos? The pair did create 16+ years of radio success together, earning a permanent place in the NAB radio hall of fame.
Golic is 57 years old and made it clear on Wednesday morning that he has no plans of retiring, stating it was management’s decision to cancel his ESPN Radio morning show.
With his former co-host of 16 years returning to the airwaves as a solo act, and Golic not ready to retire, many fans have floated the idea of a Mike and Mike reunion.
Golic’s wife responded to one of those fans on Twitter earlier this week, confirming that her husband offered to join Greenberg in the noon – 2pm timeslot on ESPN Radio’s revamped lineup, but nothing emerged from his proposal.
“I’m too young to retire. My wife won’t let me. I’m back Monday and I’ll be back until July 31,” Golic said, taking a break from vacation and guest appearing on his own radio show to address the forthcoming changes. “I’ll talk more about it then, what I’m going to do. I’m still going to stay in the business. This was management’s choice to do it.”
It’s not the choice of all of management. According to sources, some network execs weren’t sold on ESPN Radio’s new lineup which debuts on August 17th. The morning trio of Zubin, Keyshawn and Jay were said to be put together just within the last week. Reuniting the most iconic brand in the network’s history could have likely quelled whatever fears those individuals have.
Leaders of local stations around the country have expressed the same concerns. Richard Deitsch of The Athletic took to Twitter on Tuesday to describe a conversation he had with “a respected person in the biz” who suggested that stations in major markets would be wise to ignore ESPN Radio’s new morning show and that someone will sign Golic immediately if ESPN lets him hit the open market.
Golic acknowledged the fan reaction to the new lineup saying that he has been touched by the support and kind words.
“I appreciate what’s been going on on Twitter, and the outpouring of positive thoughts. Certainly not everybody, and that’s fine. You can’t please everybody. It’s been incredible what I’ve heard from people out there and I do appreciate that.”
While the tributes have flooded in for Golic the last few days from fans and colleagues, one person who has remained quiet is Greeny. As of 11:59pm Wednesday night, it’s been silence from Greenberg on the Golic front.
He undoubtedly has to acknowledge his former co-host getting replaced on ESPN Radio after being there for more than two decades. Even if there is bitterness between the two following their split three years ago, Greeny can’t and won’t ignore Golic’s impressive career.
