Legendary NY Radio Host Explains Why Coaches Prefer Teams from Red States, Trashes His City

Bounding Into Sports ^ | 1-17-2026 | Rusty Weiss

[Sir_Humphrey]

In a candid admission that’s turning heads, legendary New York sports radio host Mike Francesa conceded that red state cities are now more attractive to NFL coaches than New York City.

Speaking on his show, amid reports that John Harbaugh is poised to become the next head coach of the New York Giants, Francesa argued that red-state, no- or low-tax cities offer a superior quality of life, safety, and financial incentives compared to New York.

Francesa, long known as the “Sports Pope” for his passionate advocacy of all things New York sports, painted a stark picture of the city’s decline.

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KEYWORDS: andrewcuomo; curtissliwa; defundthepolice; ericadams; johnharbaugh; kathyhochul; leftwingcesspool; mikefrancesa; newyork; newyorkcity; newyorkgiants; nfl; nyc; overpaidjocks; rustyweiss; zohranmamdani

[Sir_Humphrey]

On the one hand even the most ardent New Yorkers are starting to see the light. On the other hand, they will continue to vote Democrat.

[God luvs America]

This has been well known for the longest time...NFL free agents would rather sign for a team in Florida versus NY/NJ/Ca/Il- its an automatic 10% increase in take home pay...

[Ex-Con777]

It also makes it easier to stay within the salary cap. Better players for less money.

EC

[Dr. Sivana]

Yes, but players who succeed in major cities like NYC, Chicago, and LA have MUCH better local endorsement opportunities than those in small market Jacksonville and New Orleans.

Exceptions can be made for all-time athletes (e.g. Peyton Manning, Aaron Rogers, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce) who easily land national contracts.

[Dr. Sivana]

It also makes it easier to stay within the salary cap.

That is a very big deal in other sports with a salary cap. Canadian NHL teams have to compete not only with mostly lower taxes (especially the Maple Leafs and Canucks), but also with being paid in U.S. Dollars.

[Alberta's Child]

That’s because the NFL players union does an awful job of negotiating good terms with the NFL. The whole system and the salary cap rules are set up for players to get paid in large signing bonuses and high salaries. The players have no latitude to negotiate compensation packages that include deferred salary and long-term annuities that reduce tax obligations up front.

[AZJeep]

Sorry John Harbaugh.
He has been fired and now, the only job he could find, is in NYC.
I feel your pain!

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Canadian NHL teams have to compete not only with mostly lower taxes (especially the Maple Leafs and Canucks), but also with being paid in U.S. Dollars.

This is partially why a Canadian hockey team hasn't won a Stanley Cup since 1993. American players hate playing for a Canadian team because of all the taxes on their income.

[God luvs America]

it has no bearing on the salary cap- a $30 million contract counts for exactly that against the cap...players are not taking less to go to teams in states with no income tax- they are signing the same contract as offered by the blue state teams but taking home more $$$.

[Alberta's Child]

I would also point out, however, that Mike Francesa may be completely full of crap on this one. I have never heard of a single case where a major sports coach or manager wouldn’t accept an offer from a New York City team for income tax reasons.

[God luvs America]

So what- large signing bonuses and huge salaries can be invested into long term annuities by the player rather than pissed away...

[Alberta's Child]

I’m not sure you are right about that. There have been several high-profile free agent signings in the NHL involving players accepting less than their market value to play in states with no income tax like Florida, Texas and Tennessee.

[God luvs America]

Nope- Marshawn Lynch never played for a big market team and he’s still plastered all over the place...Jerry Rice played in a big market, was considered one of the greatest WR’s of all time, won multiple Super Bowls, yet received few endorsement deals because he was a slug in front of the camera (and promptly proceeded to yell”RACISM” as Michael Jordan & Bo Jackson filled the airwaves)...

Few players from the Jets & Giants have endorsement deals because their teams suck. I don’t see to many NY Yankees getting big endorsement deals...ditto for NY Knicks

[Alberta's Child]

But the player can’t defer the salaries up front.

Looks what’s happening with the Dodgers in MLB. That Japanese guy Ohtani signed a 10-year contract a couple of years ago for $700 million. But he only gets paid $2 million/year in salary and has the remaining $68 million deferred for 15+ years so he can collect it when he’s retired and no longer living in California.

[God luvs America]

I know for a fact i am 100% right- i’m in the football business....you started your premise with the NFL then switched to the NHL...

NFL players do not take smaller contracts to play in a red state- they get the same deal as offered by blue state teams but end up taking home more $$$....there may be a rare exception but that’s exactly what it is- rare...

[God luvs America]

Great- and the longevity of an MLB player is twice that of a player in the NFL- its a fool comparison. There are no 10 year contracts in the NFL. Its not up to NFL owners to pay players after they are retired outside of their pension system.

[God luvs America]

BTW- if it was a benefit to the owners in the NFL, they would defer the salary...deferral of salary is as much a benefit to those paying the salary, who get to hold onto the money, as those receiving deferred payments....the value of Ohtani’s deferred $$$ in 20 years is not worth the same as the value of the money in hand today...

[Alberta's Child]

The headline mentions the NFL, but if you read the article you’ll see that Francesa’s comments were about professional sports teams in general — not just the NFL.

[Alberta's Child]

There are no 10 year contracts in the NFL.

Well, you’re wrong about that — sort of. Patrick Mahomes, for example, signed a 10-year contract extension worth $450 million back in 2021.

What makes the NFL different from other sports is that their contracts are not guaranteed … which is why players have a huge incentive to get as much money up front as a signing bonus. So Mahomes can be cut by the Chiefs before next season and would not get paid for the remainder of the contract.

[Dr. Sivana]

Few players from the Jets & Giants have endorsement deals because their teams suck. I don’t see to many NY Yankees getting big endorsement deals...ditto for NY Knicks

Then things have changed since I grew up in Connecticut. Luis Tiant (both as Red Sock and Yankee), Lou Pinella, Ron Guidry were on TV ads. I guess the legendary HoF Yankees are in a special category (Phil Rizzuto for the Money Store, Yogi Berra [for all sorts of things], Mickey Mantle [Brylcreem], and non-Yankee Willie Mays [Tab Cola, Shaefer Beer])

In recent years, I recall seeing Todd Gurley getting a lot of TV ad time here in Arizona. I don't know if he would have gotten it if he were on the Browns or Panthers.

Your point is well-taken though. Personality counts. Also, being part of a storyline (Gronkowski and Kelce). The NFL is also unique in that there are numerous small cities with well-established, long-term national followings (Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Oakland/Las Vegas).