Mike & Mike aired for the final time on Friday, bringing a 17-year run of the popular ESPN radio morning show to a close. The final broadcast and simulcast on ESPN 2 drew a number of fond farewells from former guests, employees and of course Golic and Greenberg themselves.
The end of the show was not without a bit of controversy, as the split of the longtime radio partners became a bit of a long-running drama itself. Reports indicated that the end of the show ruined their off-air relationship, though that fact was later disputed. Still, it was an awkward end to one of the staples of ESPN’s programming.
But no one appeared to be at odds on Friday, as the duo reminisced about their favorite moments and brought back popular segments for a final time. They also got a number of on and off-camera congratulations from sports legends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMZgoauUCMY
ESPN president John Skipper even joined the program, reminiscing on the 18-year-run and announcing that the network will build a Mike & Mike playground with the help of a nonprofit called Kaboom.
John Skipper just announced that the @Disney Co. will build a playground for kids (location TBD) in @MikeAndMike's honor w/ @kaboom, signifying their commitment to family. https://t.co/accUR1RoQH
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) November 17, 2017
Skipper also revealed that Greenberg’s new show with Jalen Rose and Michelle Beadle will debut next spring.
ESPN president John Skipper said the Mike Greenberg-Michelle Beadle-Jalen Rose morning show will debut April 2.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) November 17, 2017
A lot has changed since the first show aired on January 2, 2000 and Friday’s final show, but neither Mike is leaving ESPN after the show ends. Golic’s new show with his son starts later this month.
The show also had a kind of a studio audience, with the family of people who worked on the show watching. And SportsCenter’s ESPN broadcast joined SportsCenter’s ESPN broadcast joined the final minutes of the show.
The show ended with the families of both Mikes joining them on camera as the two said their final goodbyes.
“The most important words I can think of today are ‘thank you,'” Greenberg said before the lights quite literally went out on the set for the final time.
So let it be written… so let it be done. pic.twitter.com/xSdAWSi8XE
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) November 17, 2017
Plenty of people on Twitter expressed their thanks to the show using the #MMSayThanks hashtag on Twitter, including many of their coworkers at ESPN.
https://twitter.com/miketirico/status/931528891365281792
Also, I’m in a small club of ppl that have won a bet against @espngolic. The day he had to do the #HellBurgerChallenge is one I’ll never forget. Thanks for always being a great sport, big fella #MMSayThanks pic.twitter.com/udbnL1oli5
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) November 17, 2017
"Casablanca" is the favorite film of @Espngreeny and just as everybody comes to Rick's, everyone came to @MikeAndMike
Thanks to @Espngreeny and @espngolic and the show staff for their generosity and always making me feel valued on the show. Congrats guys! #MMSayThanks— Adnan Virk (@adnansvirk) November 17, 2017
Congratulations to @Espngreeny and @espngolic on one of the all-time, Halll-of-Fame runs in talk radio history. Sad for us to lose this great team, but exciting for them on what’s ahead. Thank you and good luck, men.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2017
Up early in Central Time to watch final show of @MikeAndMike with @Espngreeny and @MikeGolic …. the best!
Thanks guys for the great years— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) November 17, 2017
It’s clear Mike & Mike’s departure will leave a hole in the mornings of many people, but they’ll each be back soon enough.
