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.
“I love the ‘First Take’ gig. I’ve had a renaissance. It’s because of Stephen A.,” Russo told Front Office Sports, adding that at 64 years old he has no near-term retirement plans.
“I’m hot. When you’re hot, why would you give it up?”
For the many who came of age listening to “Mike and the Mad Dog” in afternoon drive on WFAN, it has been a sight to behold to see Russo thrive on this national platform.
Russo’s content on SiriusXM and MLB Network has been stellar throughout the years, but it’s undeniable that his frenetic appearances on “First Take” have vaulted him into a new echelon.
Russo told Howard Stern that his original deal for “First Take” was for $10,000 per his regular Wednesday episode, and while terms were undisclosed it’s a fair assumption he’s getting a bump in his new deal.
The Mad Dog’s appearances have been going so well that in late December he jokingly threatened to replace Smith as host of the show.
“There was a baseball player named Wally Pipp. Back in 1925 he had a headache and took himself out of the lineup. You know who they put in the lineup? Lou Gehrig, baby. He played for 2,000-some-odd games in a row…,” Russo joked at the open of a show in which Smith was out for the holidays.
“This seat is finally occupied by a guy who can do a professional television talk show and his name ain’t Stephen A. It is Christopher Michael Russo and guess what, for the next 120 minutes ‘First Take’ is in the house.”