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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Dylan Ratigan, the host of CNBC's "Fast Money," had just stepped out of his apartment in lower Manhattan on Sunday afternoon when a stranger stopped him. Recognizing Ratigan immediately, the man cut short a cell phone conversation and extended his hand.
"Go get 'em!" he told Ratigan, who in turn smiled politely at his new friend, made some small talk and moved on.
"Ever since this started," he told me with a self-deprecating grin, "people think I'm some kind of (bleeping) Che Guevara!"
By "this," Ratigan was referring to the barrage of speculation that he will leave CNBC after five years. His contract with CNBC, a unit of General Electric, will expire on March 31. Many media blogs suggest that he will wind up working for another TV network. Walt Disney's ABC has been mentioned frequently.
For now, Ratigan smiles at the scuttlebutt. "If I don't know yet what I'm going to do," he says, "how can anyone else be so sure?"
Regardless of whether that might sound like a negotiating ploy, Ratigan has always been very ambitious. He once told me that his dream job was to be a late-night talk-show host. See previous column.
There seems little doubt that Ratigan will want to remain in television. CNBC might decide to play hardball and make it difficult for him to join another network right away. It certainly wouldn't want to see one of its celebrities go off to a different TV operation.
Ratigan's star could rise to even greater heights elsewhere -- and he might also bring his fans with him, something that could hurt CNBC's ratings.
CNBC is the No. 1 business-news TV network. But audiences can be fickle. The Fox Business Network (which, like MarketWatch, the publisher of this column, is owned by News Corp.) and Bloomberg Television are intent on pressing CNBC.
The CNBC-Ratigan affair is a fascinating game of high-stakes poker, being played by two very determined parties. And who will blink first? Both sides are trying hard to take the high road, at this point, but TV is a business driven by large egos and big money.
When he talked with me about his prospects, Ratigan used the phrase, "I'm leaving CNBC because ..." several times, indicating that he was headed for the door. Still, I suspect that if CNBC offered to continue the negotiations, he'd listen. It's possible a deal could yet be worked out.
Right now, the network seems to believe that Ratigan is about to depart. When I asked CNBC spokesman Brian Steel if he wanted to offer a comment to this column, he made it sound like Ratigan and the network were on the verge of parting ways.
"We thank him for all of his quality contributions and wish him well," Steel told me by email late on Sunday afternoon.
Ratigan would be the second high-profile CNBC figure to make headlines recently for leaving. It was widely reported that Jonathan Wald, the network's leading news executive, had a contract dispute with the network. Officially, Wald's last day is March 31.
Ratigan declined to discuss his contract in detail and insisted that another deal is not in place. CNBC would miss Ratigan, too, and so might many viewers. He stands out because of his ebullience and great knowledge of the financial markets.
Affection for CNBC
I talked with Ratigan for more than two hours in his apartment on Sunday afternoon, as his puppy scurried about. This was a continuation of an interview I conducted with him a few weeks ago over dinner in Midtown Manhattan.
On Sunday, 36-year-old Ratigan stressed three points:
1) He had and continues to have great affection for CNBC, despite what some blogs say, 2) his goal is to communicate his concern for America's financial mess and, 3) he hasn't already arranged to jump to another TV network.
"I'm leaving CNBC in order to pursue this story with the broadest possible footprint," he said.
He added: "People are going to jump to a conclusion that this is about CNBC. It's not -- it's about me."
Asset
I could see Ratigan ultimately joining one of the morning TV shows. He'd be a big asset. The Wall Street fiasco remains a white-hot story and the networks are scrambling to find journalists who can explain it in a thoughtful but conversational way. Ratigan has excelled as a guest on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program.
Ratigan also talked enthusiastically about finishing a children's book about finance, and hopes to write one for grown-ups. When I suggested that he call it "The Intent of Capitalism," a pet saying of his, he nodded.
He might also embark on a series of speaking engagements to spread the gospel of capitalism. His theme? "The value system of capitalism has been corrupted by a small group of bankers, insurance executives and politicians," he said.
Success
I asked Ratigan if he'd ever consider working in politics, say, for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg or President Barack Obama.
Ratigan shot back: "I'd do it." Ratigan worked as a reporter, editor and television anchor at Bloomberg's media company, which is where he and I met and worked together for several years.
He talked about CNBC emotionally, pointing out: "It has been an honor and a privilege to sit next to Maria Bartiromo and work with her."
Ratigan made it clear that he has plenty to look forward to.
But when I asked him if he had any regrets, he didn't flinch.
"No," he said firmly. "Not a single one."
MEDIA WEB QUESITON OF THE DAY: What do you like or dislike about Dylan Ratigan?</em>
I saw Dylan on the subway in NYC, and I regret not saying hello, and that I think he is a great anchor on CNBC. I may never get that opportunity again, but he was tired, and (sorry Dylan) looks older in person than he does on TV. I wasn't 100% sure it was him. Anyway, I wish him luck, where ever he lands. as long as it is not Fox.
