Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo has signed a multi-year contract extension with ESPN to continue appearing on First Take weekly with Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim. The Radio Hall of Fame member and SiriusXM radio host began appearing on the show in 2022 and has become a staple on Wednesday mornings with his sports analysis, “What Are You Mad About?” segment and stories about sports betting. News of the transaction was first reported by Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports.
McCarthy divulged that in a conversation with Russo at Media Row ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, he stated that he was hot and would not want to give up his slot at this time. In addition to his weekly appearance on First Take, Russo hosts a daily radio show on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio and a baseball-themed afternoon program on MLB Network titled High Heat. Before working in these varied roles, Russo primarily worked at WFAN as a co-host of Mike and the Mad Dog alongside Mike Francesa. The two have made several public appearances since the conclusion of the show, including at the 2022 Barrett Sports Media Summit in New York City.
Russo is one of various contributors who are a part of First Take throughout the week on ESPN. The network inked Shannon Sharpe to a deal after he left his spot on Undisputed with Skip Bayless on FS1, who is generally part of the programs on Monday and Tuesday. Additional show contributors include Dan Orlovsky, Kimberley A. Martin, JJ Redick, Marcus Spears and Monica McNutt among others, a format that has been adopted since the departure of Max Kellerman as a daily commentator.
Russo stated that he would retire on the spot if the Arizona Diamondbacks came back from a 3-2 series deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series. When this ended up occurring, he walked back on those comments and donned a Diamondbacks jersey while broadcasting live from the World Series at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz.
