July 17, 2026
Sal Licata Explains What Makes New York Sports Different
He logs on wearing a clown suit, and it somehow turns into one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about New York sports, sports radio, and what it takes to stay relevant in a world of nonstop platforms. We’re joined by Sal Licata, a longtime New York voice known from WFAN and SNY’s Baseball Night in New York, and we start with the story behind the suit: an apology for doubting Mike Brown before the Knicks finally climbed the mountain.
From there, Sal walks us through the moments that shaped him, from discovering WFAN in 1995 to falling hard for the Mike and the Mad Dog era, to eventually getting real mentorship and real chances from Mike Francesa. We talk about what listeners don’t see: the internships, the behind-the-board work, the pressure of being on camera, and the mindset shift that makes TV feel natural. Then we get into the big media question fans argue about every day: is radio dying, or is it just evolving into YouTube sports shows and podcasts where the work is the same but the distribution is totally different?
On the team side, we dig into why this Knicks run felt different, from Leon Rose’s roster vision to Tom Thibodeau’s foundation, to Jalen Brunson as the rare superstar who fits New York. We also debate the Yankees: analytics, Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, and why “90 wins every year” doesn’t quiet the World Series drought. We close on the Mets’ reality, MLB labor tension, and why another CBA work stoppage plus fragmented streaming could push fans away for good.
Subscribe, share this with a New York sports fan, and leave a review with the biggest take you’re still arguing about.
From there, Sal walks us through the moments that shaped him, from discovering WFAN in 1995 to falling hard for the Mike and the Mad Dog era, to eventually getting real mentorship and real chances from Mike Francesa. We talk about what listeners don’t see: the internships, the behind-the-board work, the pressure of being on camera, and the mindset shift that makes TV feel natural. Then we get into the big media question fans argue about every day: is radio dying, or is it just evolving into YouTube sports shows and podcasts where the work is the same but the distribution is totally different?
On the team side, we dig into why this Knicks run felt different, from Leon Rose’s roster vision to Tom Thibodeau’s foundation, to Jalen Brunson as the rare superstar who fits New York. We also debate the Yankees: analytics, Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, and why “90 wins every year” doesn’t quiet the World Series drought. We close on the Mets’ reality, MLB labor tension, and why another CBA work stoppage plus fragmented streaming could push fans away for good.
Subscribe, share this with a New York sports fan, and leave a review with the biggest take you’re still arguing about.