NYC Radio: Michael Kay Considers Retiring From Daily Show

Michael Kay’s run on New York sports radio could be coming to a close, The NY Post is reporting.

Kay is seriously contemplating retiring from his WEPN 987. FM ESPN New York show after more than two decades on the air, according to sources.  When reached, Kay and ESPN declined comment.

At the end of September, Kay’s multi-million dollar contract with ESPN New York runs out and, while there have been talks about an extension, Kay, according to sources, has told ESPN officials his expectation is to step away. Many of them believe he is not bluffing.

Nonetheless, ESPN continues to pursue an extension and there is a chance that it could make it so worth his while he remains on the program that bears his name with partners Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg.

However, with his 62nd birthday next month, a wife, two young kids and another full-time job as the TV voice of the Yankees, this doesn’t appear to be a negotiating ploy.

Kay has no plans to give up his Yankees job and has made it clear to ESPN executives that he hopes to continue on ESPN’s “Kay-Rod” broadcasts, where he and Alex Rodriguez did an alternative cast on select “Sunday Night Baseball” games last season and during a postseason series.

Because ESPN executives are still trying to keep Kay, the network has no real plan yet for how it would replace him. The initial expectation is La Greca and Rosenberg would be part of a new program; however, ESPN has not really gotten deep into discussions. Kay will be hard to replace if he does leave.

It was his show and ESPN New York’s emergence that challenged the incumbent sports radio giant, WFAN. After years of building and losing to “Mike & the Mad Dog,” Kay and company had their crowning achievement by soundly beating Mike Francesa after Francesa returned from retirement in 2019. Kay also took Francesa’s simulcast spot on YES and has remained there for nearly nine years.

While WFAN 660 AM / 101.9 FM did not give its initial Francesa replacement, CMB — featuring Chris Carlin, Maggie Gray and Bart Scott, the proper amount of time to establish itself, Kay beating FAN’s new crew in the ratings made it easier to justify Francesa’s desire to return.

Kay also beat Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno in the ratings when they challenged for afternoon supremacy. Kay’s program initially defeated Craig Carton and Roberts, but after a seesaw battle, Carton and Roberts have recently dominated the Kay show.