Christopher ‘Mad Dog’ Russo was Dan Patrick’s guest on The Dan Patrick Show and the two media icons hit on a few subjects, including their own careers, Inside the NBA and Stephen A. Smith who Russo works with on ESPN’s First Take. Patrick started the interview noting the contract extension Russo signed with SiriusXM to remain the face and voice of Mad Dog Sports Radio. Patrick brought up his retirement, which he has scheduled for three and a half years from now, and the similarities with Russo’s new three year deal.
“I’m working for three and a half more years,” Patrick said. “Are you trying to steal my headlines by only working three more years?”
“You know, I hadn’t thought of that, and nobody can steal your headlines, you little Radio Hall of Famer you,” Russo said. “You know, it’s interesting, did you know that I was on with Mike [Francesa] for 19 years? … And did you know that at the end of these three years, it would be 19 years for Sirius? So, I would have done 19 with Mike and then after these three years are up, 19 with Sirius. So maybe 38 years would be enough for Chris Russo…So maybe I will leave the scene to give you the platform.”
Patrick noted a very similar situation with his career. “I was at ESPN for 18 years; I’ve been gone from ESPN for 18 years,” Patrick said.
“Wow, I didn’t realize that you’ve been gone for 18 years from ESPN,” Russo replied.
Moving on to another headline, Patrick asked Russo about the NBA media rights agreements and, more specifically, what might happen with Inside the NBA.
“What do you think happens with Shaq and Ernie, Kenny, Charles?” Patrick asked. “What do you think they can do after this next season?”
Russo pointed out that Ernie Johnson has said he will not leave TNT and then said, “Could they do it for Amazon? Yeah…I don’t buy Barkley’s retirement nonsense, he’s not quitting, they’re paying him too much money…and, what’s he gonna do? So, I do think Shaq, Kenny and Charles end up somewhere. Maybe they go to NBC. Maybe they go to Amazon. They’re too good. The show is too acclaimed. So, they are going to work after the contract with TNT. Where’s that? You know, it’s gonna be interesting Dan….I would be shocked if those three, now it won’t be Ernie, it would be with somebody else, but I would be stunned if those three don’t end up doing some sort of pregame or postgame on either Amazon or NBC. I’d be shocked.”
Lastly, Patrick asked Russo about his appearances on First Take and how they sometimes roll over into his radio show. “I do find it interesting on your radio show, you are almost asked to defend whatever Stephen A. Smith says,” Patrick said. “…I don’t know if it’s uncomfortable, but you’re kind of asked to validate or discredit what Stephen A. says.”
“Yeah, it’s tricky,” Russo said. “I love Stephen A. and as you know, he’s been a big factor, he’s the reason why I’ve had this little renaissance. And he’s been great to me, so I don’t want to hear it from my fans. But let’s face it, you and I are doing sports talk. It’s a different kind of audience. You know my fans, your fans have been following us for a long period of time. Normally your fans, my fans are not going to watch debate shows in the morning on TV. So, you know, I don’t think the TV fans listen to the radio and I don’t know if the radio fans watch the TV.”
