It’s no big deal, right? Chris “Mad Dog” Russo had a bizarre take on the former MLBPA executive director, Tony Clark, who was forced to resign after a an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law surfaced. “It was due to an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who is in her 50s – what’s so inappropriate about … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo detests the NBA Cup like only he can. “I do not understand it, Brian [Windhorst],” Russo said on ESPN’s “First Take” on Wednesday. “I apologize, somewhere, Walt Frazier and Willis Reed and Red Holzman are saying, ‘Really? We’re gonna celebrate this stupid thing? This inauthentic creation to jazz up the regular … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo believes Molly Qerim left ESPN before her contract expired at the end of this year because she didn’t want to finish the year as a “lame duck” with a potential “demotion” on the horizon. During an appearance on the “SI Media podcast” with Jimmy Traina this week, Russo explained that he was “shocked” by … Read more
We’ve got a loudmouth standoff. ESPN NY radio host Don La Greca wants Chris “Mad Dog” Russo to pipe down when it comes to his criticism of the hoopla surrounding Pete Alonso breaking the Mets’ all-time home run record and Gary Cohen’s TV call of the record-breaking moment Tuesday. As Alonso hit a two-run home … Read more
The Mets were barking up the wrong tree. ESPN personality and former WFAN host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo went off about the celebration following Pete Alonso breaking Darryl Strawberry’s franchise home run record Tuesday with No. 253. “I cannot believe the big deal people are making about Pete Alonso being the franchise record-holder now for … Read more
Everyone’s got some nightmare travel stories, and for Chris Russo, he aired out his most recent disaster for more than 10 minutes straight during his “What Are You Mad About?” segment of ESPN’s “First Take” on Wednesday. The man known as “Mad Dog” took a recent vacation to Europe, which included a few fiascos, including … Read more
Chris Russo weighed in on the drama surrounding Stephen A. Smith’s new show on SiriusXM. Speaking on his radio show on Wednesday, Russo said he felt for his colleagues Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker, whose show “Beadle and Decker” — on Mad Dog Sports Radio — is being replaced by one of Smith’s new programs, … Read more
ESPN personality Chris “Mad Dog” Russo was furious over having to do his segment in the hallway after the power went out on “First Take,” and he blamed the mishap on Stephen A. Smith’s salary. During Wednesday’s installment of “First Take,” Russo and co-host Molly Qerim used flashlights after she said “we lost power” at … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo summed up ABC’s strategy behind Bill Belichick’s sit-down on “Good Morning America” last Friday in one word: “Horrific.” When dissecting the Q&A between “GMA” anchor Michael Strahan and UNC’s new football coach — whose romance with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson has been widely scrutinized — the sports media personality slammed the exchange … Read more
ESPN would prefer Chris “Mad Dog” Russo save his Bill Belichick relationship hot takes for SiriusXM. While on “First Take” on Wednesday, Russo prepared a rant about Belchick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, wearing in February a 28-3 jersey signifying the Patriots’ improbable Super Bowl comeback against the Falcons in 2017. “Belichick’s girlfriend with the 28-3 jersey, … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo refused to give Tony Romo a pass for his mistake during CBS’s broadcast of the Chiefs-Bills game on Sunday — and his ESPN counterparts didn’t want to hear it. On a third-and-7 play early in the first quarter, Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw a perfectly placed ball to receiver Amari Cooper … Read more
The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match gave Chris Russo something new to be mad about. The longtime radio host spent time Monday on his SiriusXM show ranting about the Netflix spectacle — which was fraught with streaming issues — trashing the fight and questioning why anyone would be interested in watching it. “You … Read more
Chris Russo’s gummy shtick on ESPN airwaves may be getting the axe after he “pissed off” ESPN executives. In the latest chapter of the gummy bit, during his weekly appearance on “First Take,” Russo explained that he took a gummy and explained he shared it with MLB analyst Jessica Mendoza. “I had a gummy this … Read more
Perhaps the Mad Dog has truly gone mad. Chris Russo took issue with Joe Buck for a comment he alleged Buck made toward him … only it would appear that said comment was never uttered. Russo, the boisterous ESPN and SiriusXM personality, said on Monday’s show that Buck had the “audacity” to question him about … Read more
It’s the end of one era for Chris Russo. The “Mad Dog” announced Friday that his show “High Heat” on MLB Network will end on the network, with Friday’s episode being the last show. Russo had hosted the show on the network since 2014. Alanna Rizzo has been a co-host since 2021. “In more than … Read more
Chris Russo is nothing if not a rugged traditionalist. In his weekly “What are you mad about?” segment on ESPN’s “First Take” on Wednesday, Russo barked about the musical performances from Ice Cube before Game 2 and Fat Joe before Game 3 of the World Series. He admitted that he didn’t actually see Ice Cube … Read more
Colin Russo did what any radio pro would do when his name came up in a viral moment: he turned it into a bit. Russo is the son of radio legend Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, and co-hosts in afternoon drive on ESPN West Palm after having graduated the University of Wisconsin earlier this year. Chris … Read more
Chris Russo stopped himself at first before deciding to go for it. Russo has poured cold water on the idea that the public cares as much as the sports media does about Bronny James taking the court alongside his father LeBron for the Lakers on Tuesday night and said his son Colin is a better … Read more
Dan Campbell is sorry he’s not sorry that Chris Cristie was mad at him. Christie, the former governor of New Jersey and a devout Cowboys fan, opined last week that the Lions head coach lacked “class” in running up the score for a 47-9 drubbing over Dallas. During Lions media availability on Monday, Campbell was … Read more
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie didn’t sugarcoat his feelings about Lion coach Dan Campbell after Detroit embarrassed the Cowboys in a 47-9 win last Sunday. During a recent appearance on Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s “Mad Dog Unleashed” podcast, Christie, a diehard Dallas fan, criticized Campbell’s character and said he acted classless while running trick … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo has seen enough of Jason Kelce on ESPN. During Wednesday’s installment of “First Take,” Russo said he was “in one of the moods” before he went ballistic over Kelce’s role as an analyst on ESPN after his NFL retirement in March. “You’re gonna get mad at me. I’m gonna say it … Read more
Gregg Giannotti has come to John Sterling’s defense. Sterling, 86, will un-retire and return to the Yankees’ radio booth for the team’s 2024 postseason run, and his decision faced some detractors, including Mike Francesa and Chris Russo. Giannotti, who co-hosts morning drive alongside Boomer Esiason on WFAN, the Yankees’ flagship network, disputed the idea that … Read more
Mike Francesa has a dire warning for John Sterling about his Yankees comeback. Francesa and Chris Russo reunited on the latter’s SiriusXM program on Thursday to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the start of the legendary “Mike in the Mad Dog” run on WFAN’s afternoon drive. Earlier Thursday, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that the … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo had trouble deciphering exactly who passed away on Tuesday, mistaking Billy Bean, the league senior vice president for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for longtime Athletics general manager Billy Beane. “The word that we’re getting right now is that the general manager of the A’s, Billy Beane, may have passed away,” Russo … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo isn’t thrilled about being stood up by longtime NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico. Russo explained that he had an interview with Tirico set for his SiriusXM show, but it was canceled after he made fun of NBC’s decision to air the opening ceremony at IMAX on ESPN’s “First Take.” After the … Read more
Sounds like The Mad Dog woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Up bright and early Monday, Chris Russo was one of many thrilled to watch the clash between two tennis greats – Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic – hosted at the Paris Games. However, tennis analyst Rennae Stubbs on the call apparently … Read more
The “Mad Dog” tore Paul Finebaum to shreds. On Wednesday, Chris Russo appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” alongside Finebaum and Harry Douglas, who were discussing USC head coach Lincoln Riley, with the former WFAN host strongly backing the Trojans’ football boss. Finebaum, though, said he considers Riley and the Trojans to be a “disaster” through … Read more
The Mad Dog has a bone to pick with Magic Johnson. Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” earlier this week, Chris Russo said he “loves” Johnson and named several of his accolades from his playing career, before chiding the former Lakers point guard for congratulating Bronny James on getting drafted by the team. “Magic, really, we’re … Read more
Chris Russo wasn’t just going to let Stephen A. Smith enjoy the blockbuster move made by the Knicks on Tuesday night. Appearing Wednesday morning on ESPN’s “First Take” with Smith and NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Russo diminished the Knicks’ stunning trade for Mikal Bridges, stating how the Nets forward “is not the missing piece” to … Read more
Chris Russo would not have welcomed Bill Belichick with open arms if the 72-year-old former NFL coach appeared at his doorstep to take out his early-20s daughter. “Here’s what I would say. If Bill Belichick came to my house and wanted to date Kiera Russo, who’s 23, I’d have a problem with it,” Russo said … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo ribbed Stephen A. Smith over his entrance videos during the NBA Finals. Several times during the series between the Celtics and Mavericks, ESPN’s social media team shared videos of Smith strutting into the arena like it does with players. During his weekly “First Take” appearance on Wednesday, Russo let Smith have … Read more
It would have been an epic day for Mike and the Mad Dog to talk sports and go at it as hard as they can. With the news that Aaron Rodgers was missing the Jets’ mandatory minicamp for an “unexcused” absence to attend an unspecified event that is “important to him,” former cohosts Mike Francesa … Read more
Stephen A. Smith shut down a long-running rumor that he and his “First Take” co-host Molly Qerim are a couple during Wednesday’s episode. The 56-year-old ESPN personality explained “there’s nothing going on” between him and Qerim, 40, after Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who appears regularly on the show, joked that their matching white outfits made … Read more
Chris Russo has long been a crusader against sporting events that start way too late at night. After all, in the introduction of his SiriusXM radio show, he can be heard barking, “Give us a chance to watch the damn thing, will you please?” With that as the backdrop, it was an inevitability that he … Read more
Ian Eagle was 29 years old when he realized he couldn’t hang with Bill Raftery until the buzzer. Eagle, who has replaced Jim Nantz on CBS’ top college basketball team for March Madness this year and is working alongside Raftery and Grant Hill, has been on announcer teams with Raftery for 30 years. In addition … Read more
The Mad Dog will be barking on “First Take” for years to come. The Post has confirmed that Chris Russo has signed a multi-year extension with ESPN to continue appearing on the debate program hosted by Stephen A. Smith. The news was first reported by Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy. Chris Russo will continue to … Read more
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo isn’t buying what the NFL is selling in terms of streaming. The well-known sports talker is still enraged weeks later about the NFL’s decision to air the Chiefs-Dolphins wild-card round playoff game on the NBCUniversal-run platform, Peacock. Russo has not been alone in his dismay over the NFL’s decision to broadcast … Read more
Dan Orlovsky has a new nickname for “Mad Dog” Christopher Russo: “Classless.” Orlovsky, the ESPN analyst, ripped Russo after the famous radio/television personality described him as a former NFL “scrub” on ESPN’s “First Take” on Monday. “May be a HOFer but this classless,” Orlovsky tweeted in response to a clip of Russo’s dig. Russo’s shot … Read more
One of the great Super Bowl traditions in sports media is no more. For the first time in eons, Chris Russo is not doing his customary trivia for his radio listeners to win a trip to the Super Bowl. Russo has done the yearly trivia since joining SiriusXM in 2008, and did it for years … Read more
It took one play in the Bills-Chiefs AFC Divisional-Round game for Chris Russo to lose his patience with Tony Romo. On the first play from scrimmage, Josh Allen threw a pass to Stefon Diggs that the receiver fumbled before tight end Dalton Kincaid swatted it out of bounds. Romo, CBS’ lead NFL analyst, referenced Franco … Read more
On this week’s edition, Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo is the guest host, joining Andrew Marchand. Marchand and Russo go into full detail about Pat McAfee, Aaron Rodgers and Norby Williamson. They also dissect ESPN’s reaction to McAfee calling Williamson, one of the top executives at the company, a “rat.” Marchand and Russo look at the … Read more
Toughen up, Pat. That’s Chris Russo’s message to Pat McAfee as he deals with the fallout from the Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel controversy that ignited on his show last week. McAfee has since ripped an ESPN executive and has lashed out at critics, lending credence to the reports that the outspoken media host is thin-skinned. The … Read more
Florida State’s football team is causing yet another debate, and two sports media personalities on ESPN are on opposite sides of the aisle. After Florida State won the ACC with an undefeated season but missed out on the College Football Playoff — which itself has stirred controversy — the Seminoles were thrashed, 63-3, by Georgia … Read more
Stephen A. Smith better hurry back from vacation. On Wednesday’s episode of “First Take,” Chris Russo filled in for Smith as host of the popular ESPN show and jokingly threatened to make it a permanent move. “There was a baseball player named Wally Pipp. Back in 1925 he had a headache and took himself out … Read more
Shaquille O’Neal is marking his territory with the Mad Dog. Earlier this week on ESPN’s “First Take,” Chris Russo declared that O’Neal is only the fifth-best center in NBA history, and now the four-time NBA champion has responded to the assertion. On O’Neal’s “Big Podcast,” co-host Adam Lefkoe played the clip of Russo blasting Shaq … Read more
This was in the late 1970s, on my first beat — covering the New York Cosmos, at the time the most famous team in the world for its collection of world-famous, store-bought, mismatched and often discordant soccer stars. We were in Dallas to play the Tornado, best known as the team that starred Kyle Rote … Read more
Commercial Content 21+ Looking for a new expert sports betting tout to follow and help you make money? New York radio legend Chris “Mad Dog” Russo is not your guy. “I threw things. I was so upset,” Russo recalled on Wednesday’s “First Take,” shouting about how the Texans-Jaguars game went under 48.5 total points. Russo … Read more
Gus Johnson was just too over the top for Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s liking. That was what the famed sports talk radio host told his audience Tuesday on his “Mad Dog Unleashed” SiriusXM program. Russo apparently took issue with the fact that Johnson, the Fox Sports play-by-play man, had overhyped the rivalry matchup between Michigan … Read more
Chris Russo seems to think Travis Kelce’s priorities were in the wrong place. During his weekly appearance on “First Take” on Wednesday, “Mad Dog” closed out the show with plenty of things he was perturbed with — including celebrating Thanksgiving — and listed Kelce’s recent trip to Argentina to see Taylor Swift perform an Eras … Read more
NBA commissioner Adam Silver disputed the notion that the NBA has a heavy hand in broadcast partner personnel decisions. When ESPN layoffs this past summer included top analyst Jeff Van Gundy, rumors flew that the NBA league office did not enjoy his commentary and perhaps had input in the axing. Silver appeared on JJ Redick’s … Read more
Has Chris Russo gone from “Mad Dog” to “Mad Fraud”? The sports talk radio host is taking more high heat for backing out of yet another on-air promise. Russo will apparently not follow through on a promise to walk a Manhattan block in a Diamondbacks-branded bikini. The idea was the brainchild of shock jock Howard … Read more
Don La Greca was not a fan of Chris Russo’s retirement shenanigans. Russo, who said he’d retire “on the spot” if the Diamondbacks won Games 6 and 7 of the National League Championship Series, has not done so despite Arizona doing just that and reaching the World Series. The longtime sports talk radio host only … Read more
Something interesting happened Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET when “Mad Dog Unleashed” came on the air at SiriusXM: the Mad Dog was missing. Chris Russo wasn’t present for the beginning of his titular radio show as part of the fallout from his promise to retire if the Diamondbacks won the National League pennant. Arizona took … Read more
Dave Portnoy is not letting the Mad Dog off the hook. On his SiriusXM radio show earlier this week, Chris Russo vowed to retire if the Diamondbacks erased a 3-2 deficit in the best-of-seven NLCS by winning two games on the road in Philadelphia. The Diamondbacks did just that, but Russo is walking back the … Read more
The Mad Dog is refusing to be neutered by the Diamondbacks. Chris “Mad Dog” Russo said he will not leave sports media after he promised to retire “on the spot” if the Diamondbacks won two straight games in Philadelphia to wrestle the NLCS away from the favored Phillies. Arizona proceeded to quiet the Phillies’ bats … Read more
Fans might hear Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s last bark Tuesday if the Arizona Diamondbacks reach the 2023 World Series. The former WFAN star said Monday, before the Diamondbacks won Game 6 of the NLCS on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies to stave off elimination, that if Arizona won the series by taking the final … Read more
The budding Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce relationship has excited many people across the country, but Chris “Mad Dog” Russo is not one of them. The SiriusXM host returned to ESPN on Wednesday for his weekly appearance on “First Take,” and with a video of Swift taking in Sunday’s Chiefs game with Kelce’s mom, Donna, playing in … Read more
Nothing can get by ’em, turn it on and try ’em! Chris Russo hosted his old partner Mike Francesa on SiriusXM on Thursday for a “Mike and the Mad Dog” reunion, and bemoaned the noise around the Jets, speaking derisively about cornerback D.J. Reed comparing their defense to the ’85 Bears. “It’s hard to like … Read more
The football regular season hasn’t started yet, but Chris Russo already has a bone to pick with NFL Sunday Ticket. The league’s package, which allows viewers to watch all the NFL’s out-of-market games from Fox and CBS, will now be distributed on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels this season after a 29-year run on … Read more
Chris Russo could yell all night long about Lionel Richie canceling his recent show at Madison Square Garden. Richie cited weather issues as the reason he couldn’t make the show at the world’s most famous arena on Saturday night, as thousands of fans wondered if that could actually be what happened. Russo, speaking on his … Read more
The “Mad Dog” is about to be an empty nester and he’s about to start evaluating his options. Chris Russo appeared on the SI Media Podcast and was asked about recent hints he’s been dropping that he’ll continue his radio show on SiriusXM through the Super Bowl and then see what’s what from there. The … Read more
Stephen A. Smith got called out on his own show. Sports radio personality Chris “Mad Dog” Russo went off on Smith about his weight during the “What are you mad about” segment on Wednesday’s “First Take” show. “You know, Stevie? Here’s what I want you to do. We all saw the pictures. We all saw … Read more
Man bites dog! Reds stalwart Joey Votto joined Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on MLB Network’s “High Heat” on Wednesday and delivered an epic riff to Russo, who had apparently given him a backhanded compliment recently by saying he belonged in the “Hall of Very Good” as opposed to the Baseball Hall of Fame. “A couple … Read more
Molly Qerim took the “First Take” faithful to task. Chris “Mad Dog” Russo was making his customary Wednesday morning appearance on the ESPN program with Stephen A. Smith when the debate turned to the Celtics. Smith believes the Celtics should be the favorites to win the 2024 NBA championship, while Russo was not buying the … Read more
The “Mad Dog” has no shortage of theories about the recent wave of ESPN layoffs that have rocked the sports world. Chris Russo, who signed a one-year contract with ESPN earlier this year to continue appearing on “First Take,” believes the NBA league office — and commissioner Adam Silver, specifically — ordered the layoff of … Read more
Chris Russo and JJ Redick are no strangers to bickering with each other, and the saga continued Wednesday in a hilarious debate about Jaylen Brown on ESPN’s “First Take.” Brown shot 8-for-23 from the field and turned the ball over eight times as the Celtics got thumped at home, 104-83, in Game 7 of the … Read more
Future anthropologists will be fascinated by the manic notes left by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo. Russo had his weekly appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” on Wednesday, and host Molly Qerim fulfilled a promise to share Russo’s show notes. What Qerim revealed was a remarkable combination of bubbles, numbers, single words or abbreviations and line items … Read more
Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo were not initially a perfect match before sparking the sports radio industry, needing a little help from a search for love. Francesa recalled the two needed a dating show gag to help save the “Mike and the Mad Dog” show in its early days on his podcast, “The … Read more
The Mad Dog’s bark will continue to reach a mass TV audience. Sources tell The Post that talk radio legend Chris Russo has signed a new deal with ESPN to continue appearing on “First Take,” where he’s developed excellent chemistry with host Molly Qerim and fellow high-volume broadcaster Stephen A. Smith. An ESPN spokesperson declined … Read more
The Mad Dog is barking about Aaron Rodgers’ wish list! Chris Russo opened his SiriusXM program on Tuesday responding to the report from ESPN’s Dianna Russini that Rodgers wishes to play with free agents Allen Lazard (whom the Jets have already signed), Randall Cobb (with whom they’re reportedly in talks with), Marcedes Lewis and Odell … Read more