Mike Francesa escalates radio war with Islanders, Rick DiPietro

When we last heard hockey talk from WFAN radio icon Mike Francesa, a.k.a. The Sports Pope, he was trashing the New York Islanders’ public relations efforts and calling it a “third rate” organization.

That prompted Rick DiPietro, former Islanders goalie-turned-radio host on rival 98.7 FM, to fire back that Francesa was a “fatso.”

On Tuesday, it was Francesa’s turn to lob some grenades in this New York sports talk radio war, first taking a shot at the Islanders, saying tickets were still available for their Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“They don’t know how to market, and the rink is run by a bunch of clowns. But otherwise, I think they’re OK,” he said.

(He also said John Tavares is one of the five best players in the NHL “at worst.” Take that as you will.)

And then it was time for DiPietro to get his comeuppance:

Among the grenades:

“He felt he needed to protect the team that’s paying him. And I might have a warm spot for a team was paying me through 2029 when I’ve done nothing but shoot my mouth off and bilk them out of a 15-year contract and have a losing record for my career.”

“Just shut your mouth and be happy you have somewhere to go to work every day.”

“From what I understand, you play goalie better than you’re on the radio, which isn’t saying much.”

“Stick to a league you can compete in. In the radio business, you’re you and I’m Gordie Howe.”

“The happiest day of their life was getting out from under that 15-year mess.”

Well now.

Apparently DiPietro responded on his radio show, “Hahn and Humpty,” by not mentioning Francesa by name but by referring to him as “Radio Precious.” Yikes.

(Via @RNs_Funhouse, Twitter’s most valuable chronicler of Mike Francesa audio)

--

Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY