Christie drops out of contention for WFAN job

Gov. Chris Christie has pulled himself out of contention for a post-gubernatorial job as a sports radio host on WFAN, he said Sunday.

In response to a Daily News report that he had been informed he was no longer in the mix for a job after afternoon host Mike Francesa leaves at the end of the year, Christie said the story was "completely incorrect." A representative for CBS Radio, WFAN's parent company, said the organization "cannot confirm" the Daily News report.

Christie, who leaves office next year, has been a regular fill-in to co-host the morning "Boomer and Carton" show in recent years, but he began to audition this summer in the afternoon slot as one of a handful of candidates known to be in contention to succeed Francesa. Christie said in a statement issued by his spokesman on Sunday that he was approached by WFAN three weeks ago to do additional shows with other potential co-hosts.

"After considering the other options that I have been presented with for post-gubernatorial employment, I declined their request to do additional shows. I made station executives aware that while I would be happy to continue to fill in for Boomer when asked and when available, that they should no longer consider me as a candidate interested in any job at WFAN when I leave the governorship. I made that clear to them prior to leaving for my family vacation two weeks ago."

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It is unclear what other options Christie may have been presented. He is prohibited from negotiating future employment while still in office.

Christie's future has been a constant source of intrigue and speculation ever since he dropped out of the presidential race last year and endorsed Donald Trump, who went on to win the White House. And as Trump's administration seems to be constantly in flux, with top officials being fired or resigning, Christie's name is always in the mix as a potential replacement. But the governor, who has four children and a wife who recently retired, has said he plans to maximize his earning potential after leaving office.

Jaime Saberito, a spokeswoman for CBS Radio, said in an email Sunday that "a decision on afternoon host has not yet been made."