WFAN's popular "Mike and the Mad Dog" show lost the "Mad Dog" yesterday, when Chris Russo (pictured, left) departed the station abruptly, ending a 19-year partnership with Mike Francesa.Russo quit the station in the early evening, leading WFAN to swiftly name Francesa the sole host of the popular afternoon drive-time show, starting immediately. For now, it will be called "Francesa on the FAN," and it signals the end of perhaps the most formidable duo in sports-talk radio.
"The idea that we hate each other and I had to get out, trust me, that's not true," Russo told The New York Times. "I'm 48 years old. It's time for a change, and I'm looking for a new challenge."
Russo added that he had no other jobs waiting for him. But that's not what industry sources are saying.
Newsday reports that he is likely to land at Sirius Satellite Radio for a lucrative deal worth up to $15 million over five years. And that would just yet another popular radio personality to Karmazin's roster of star talent.
"I have four or five options," Russo told Newsday. "Sirius would be one of them ... Obviously, I'm not stupid. I'm not going to leave FAN unless I have something relatively secure."
I don't even get a thanks for the tip anymore. Oh well. When are the forums coming back?
I am definitely going to miss the Mike and the Mad Dog duo. They were, by far, one of the best sports shows on radio. Yes, they could be arrogant and sometimes rude towards callers but they certainly were never boring. They knew their sports and showed a lot of passion. I hope Chris takes his "Marquis" character with him over to Sirius. I always loved that bit.
Hey Muscle13-Thank-you for the tip,your the best buddy.Keep up the good work.
Hey Muscle13-Thank-you for the tip,your the best buddy.Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | August 15, 2008 7:28 AM
Who are you? I don't think Ryan posts as Anonymous Coward! LOL
They can be jerks sometimes but I enjoyed there show and they had a huge following in the Tr-State area for a long time. I heard rumors about this but I'm shocked to see it's now true.
Ferrell and now the Mad Dog. SiriusXM just keeps getting better everyday.
maybe he'll go on bubbas show to announce his new deal.all big news goes through tampa
What about a non complete clause. Oh wait they do not compete says the NAB.
One of the worst voices in radio. When I first heard Mike and the Mad Dog, I thought Russo was a retarded sidekick or someone doing a bad Jerry Lewis imitation. Keep him off my sat rad!
think they will discuss if it is ok for someone besides Rivera to come out to Metallica?
linger longer!
One of the best voices in radio. When I first heard Mike and the Mad Dog, I thought Russo was a much bette rvoice, more knowledgeable and Francesa dragged him down. Now that he is satellite radio, I will have to get me a Sirius radio.
so how does the new company decide whether he goes on the sirius channels or the xm channels?
>>so how does the new company decide whether he goes on the sirius channels or the xm channels?
Good question. I wonder which one. Obviously down the road, he would be on both.
"reports that he is likely to land at Sirius Satellite Radio for a lucrative deal worth up to $15 million over five years."
What is this? Sirius needs to over pay content, talent and programming? SiriusXM is dropping in value like a turd. It's way past due to get a creative and responsible management team in there or SiriusXM is DONE.
Sirius disregards their financials in every aspect of their company. They overpay talent, sell ad packages for pennies, and will do anything to get ahead. this irresponsibility may be the biggest problem with the new company, unless some level-headed xm management shakes the shit out of these new execs and help them realize the new position they are now in with the new company.
Isn't this the kind of spending that got Sirius/XM in trouble in the first place? I don't think he's worth it all were talking here is sports.Whats wrong with the sports commentators we have now,how many people do they need to describe how someone threw a ball?
>> When I first heard Mike and the Mad Dog, I thought Russo was a much bette rvoice, more knowledgeable and Francesa dragged him down. >>
Then you didn't listen for very long. Russo is legendary for being uninformed about most things besides tennis and TV ratings, and Francessa was only slightly better.
Go listen to Kellerman and Michael Kay on 141, I guarantee you'll hear much better sports radio.
Good afffternoon evewybody. How ah you today? Hey go fuck yourself there Mikey.
nobody listens to sat radio in nyc :)
"nobody listens to sat radio in nyc :)"
And even less now due to Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" MONOPOLY scheme.
>>so how does the new company decide whether he goes on the sirius channels or the xm channels?
Good question. I wonder which one. Obviously down the road, he would be on both.
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They would broadcast out of NY, but would transmit over both Sirius and XM. This is what they will be doing with many stations liek 70, 80,s, etc that have duplication.
So for the 70's or 80's - they might use the Sirius 70's channel and also send over XM, use the XM 80's and send also over Sirius.
Why would it be any different for this ?
i miss saturday morning cartoons
i miss saturday morning cartoons
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Get Sirius Backset TV and have your wife drive the car
We need the NFL in the back seat and let the wife drive the car.
Who cares about this hack?? When is Opie and anthony's contract going to get renewed? Thats the only thing that matters on this planet.
O & A will be working for Howard's channel.
Howard - "Opie, go get me a fresh pot of coffee"
Opie " Wait, let me get my nose out of your ass first"
Howard " OK, but hurry up"
"Who cares about this hack?? When is Opie and anthony's contract going to get renewed? Thats the only thing that matters on this planet."
now THATS funny
"who gives a shit,who gives a fuck!"-steve langford
Bubba works for Howard's channel.
Howard - "Bubba, go get me a fresh pot of coffee"
Bubba " Wait, let me get my nose out of your ass first"
Howard " OK, but hurry up"
"Who cares about this hack?? When is Bubba's contract going to get renewed? Thats the only thing that matters on this planet."
now THATS funny
"who gives a shit,who gives a fuck!"-steve langford
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Now thats Funnnnnnny!!!
bubba rides a hard cock
"What about a non complete clause. Oh wait they do not compete says the NAB."
ZING!
bubba is on howie's channel
bubba- howie, i have the bubba army, the most loyal fanbase in shock jock radio...
howie- WHO? ...besides bubba the cum sponge, i invented shock jock radio, ask bababoey! i invented fart jokes, and the sybian...... by the way how does my wig look 2day?
bubba- can i bang you Howie?, i wont tell beth?
howie- sure bubba make it fast though im having lunch with melvin K.
Wasn't Mike and the Maddog a New York thing? I've never heard of him or them together. How is bringing him in going to bring in new subscribers? That is really the point of highering new talent. As a stock holder I'm kinda let down by this news. If he can bring in 100,000 new subscribers then cool. I doubt it though. I like Ferrell. He kicks ass.
Best of luck to both of you. I went thru stages of getting ticked off at one or the other of you, but tried not to miss your show. Loved WFAN, Imus in the am, M & MD in the pm. I no longer live in NY so my withdraw passed a few years ago. Will be glad to hear Mad Dog again!