Mad Dog Isn’t Dropping the Mic Anytime Soon

Who Is Chris "Mad Dog" Russo?

Chris Russo is a famous sports talk personality. Fans call him "Mad Dog" because he is loud, opinionated, and full of energy.

• He became famous at a radio station called WFAN.
• There, he was part of a legendary duo called "Mike and The Mad Dog" with Mike Francesa.
• He now works at SiriusXM (a satellite radio service) and appears on ESPN TV.

He’s Not Retiring Yet

Chris Russo will turn 67 years old in October. But don’t expect him to stop talking sports soon!

Important Point: Russo said he will definitely keep doing his job for at least the next couple of years, and maybe longer.

When asked by The Post (a newspaper) during a visit to ESPN’s studios in Manhattan, he said:

• "I will definitely do this for… the next couple years you’re still gonna hear me."
• He joked that if he retired, he and his wife would "drive each other crazy staring at each other" because their kids are all grown and gone.

How He Plans to Keep Working

Russo doesn’t have a strict retirement plan. He might slow down little by little.

• He feels good and loves his work.
• He wants to "make a contribution" as long as he can.
• He won’t take 20 jobs, but he will keep his radio show and ESPN spots.

Important Point: ESPN is happy to have him, and his radio work is "plenty" for now.

His Journey From WFAN to SiriusXM

Here is a simple timeline of his career moves:

1. Russo left WFAN in 2008 after a fight about his contract (a work agreement).
2. He signed with SiriusXM and launched his own "Mad Dog" channel.
3. He signed with Sirius through the year 2027.
4. In 2022, he guested on ESPN’s "First Take."
5. Fans loved it, and he had great chemistry with Stephen A. Smith, so he got a weekly spot.

A Different Side of Mad Dog

Usually, Russo is bombastic (super loud and strong) on "First Take" and his daily radio show "Mad Dog Unleashed."
But on the day The Post visited, he showed a calmer side:

• He recorded an episode of "The Biggest Game" with Jeremy Schaap.
• That digital series talks about the Super Bowl and its big moments.
• He used his football history knowledge in a more tame (quiet) way.

Shocking Attention From a History Chat

Russo is known for hot sports takes. But he was shocked when a radio segment about Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln (two U.S. presidents) got big attention.

• Jimmy Traina from Sports Illustrated joked Russo is "The single greatest sports talk radio host in the history of the medium."

He Doesn’t Mind the Hate

His strong opinions often draw criticism (people disagreeing or complaining). But that doesn’t bother him.

• He said he doesn’t worry what people say as long as they have an opinion.
• If people were apathetic (didn’t care), that would be the bad sign.
• Since they care, he’s happy.

Important Point: As long as folks are paying attention, Russo feels he’s doing his job right.

Summary

Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, the 66-going-on-67 sports talking legend, has no plans to leave the mic soon. He’ll be on radio and ESPN for at least a couple more years, maybe through his Sirius deal in 2027. He might ease off slowly, but he loves the work and just wants to be heard—good or bad.

FAQ

Q: Why is Chris Russo called "Mad Dog"?
A: It’s a nickname from his loud, opinionated style on sports talk radio and TV.

Q: Will Russo really work for 20 more years?
A: He said not 20, but definitely the next couple of years, and he’s signed to Sirius until 2027.

Q: What is "Mad Dog Unleashed"?
A: It’s his daily radio show on SiriusXM where he gives strong sports opinions.

Q: Why did he leave WFAN?
A: He left in 2008 over a contract dispute and joined SiriusXM.

Q: Does he care if people criticize him?
A: No, as long as they have an opinion and pay attention, he’s fine with it.