• Loading stock data...
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

Stephen A. Smith Booking ‘Mike and the Mad Dog’ Reunion

  • Smith tells Howard Stern he wants both to appear live on ESPN’s ‘First Take.’
  • Mike Francesa and Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo ruled NY radio for 20 years.
Syndication: AsburyPark

As a kid in Hollis, Queens, Stephen A. Smith grew up listening to Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Mike Francesa on the New York City sports radio station WFAN.

Now ESPN’s biggest star wants to arrange an on-air reunion between the two sports radio legends on his national morning TV show, “First Take.”

During an appearance Wednesday with Howard Stern on SiriusXM, Smith told listeners he’s trying to book the duo for a joint appearance in the near future.

Almost a year ago, Smith convinced the legendary “Mad Dog” to join him for weekly appearances on his “Embrace Debate” show. 

Russo has been a great addition, battling across the debate desk with Smith and other ESPN talents. But during his time on WFAN, Francesa was one of ESPN’s loudest critics.

“My respect for both of them is profound,” Smith told Stern, according to the New York Post. “They are pioneers in this business. And when I brought Mad Dog on my show ‘First Take,’ the bosses didn’t think they could get him. I picked up the phone, and in like two seconds, he was like, ‘I’m in. I’m there for you.’ I love the guy. This guy and Mike Francesa started sports talk radio. They made sports talk radio what it is.”

Max Kellerman
exclusive

Max Kellerman Could Leave ESPN’s ‘First Take’ With Stephen A. Smith

Max Kellerman is poised to leave ESPN’s ‘First Take’ debate show opposite…
August 18, 2021

It’s not clear if ESPN will pay Francesa for an appearance. But so far, the Worldwide Leader in Sports has been getting a bargain with Russo.

Last June, Stern asked his fellow SiriusXM radio host how much he earned for his guest spots on “First Take.”

Russo replied he was getting $10,000 per appearance on a 40-week contract. If the Mad Dog can help reel in Francesa, he’ll probably get a raise.  

Russo and Francesa ruled New York radio for nearly 20 years, from 1989 to 2008. Smith can relate to breakups. 

Front Office Sports broke the story that Smith was splitting with “First Take” partner Max Kellerman in 2021. Since then, Smith has employed a rotating series of guest debaters, including Russo, Marcus Spears, and Dan Orlovsky.

On his own show Thursday, Russo pegged the reunion date on “First Take” for February 1. 

“It sounds like the big guy will return, and we’ll have the three of us in there. I can tell you this, no other people, the three of us, for two hours. Think about that. You talk about me being a fraud, Mike hated ESPN for 100 years!”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Adam Schefter

Adam Schefter Uses Same Pirated NFL Clips As Everyone Else

ESPN’s NFL insider posted a video from an illegal stream Thursday night.

Controversy, Championship Battles Keep F1 Viewers Tuned In

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen had a controversial encounter again Sunday.

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

First-Ever 12-Team CFP Takes Shape

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
October 28, 2024

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
FuboTV signage
opinion
October 26, 2024

Fubo’s Fight Against Streaming Giants Feels Futile

Fubo notched a legal win, but subs and stock still slump.
Fubo-TV

Fubo Reports 9% Subscriber Growth As Venu Sports Trial Looms

The sports-focused streamer grew revenue by 21%.
October 31, 2024

Comcast’s Olympic Gold: Paris Games Spark Surge in Peacock Subscribers

Company revenue and Peacock subscriptions rise thanks to a big Olympics boost.
October 31, 2024

World Series Delivers 7-Year Ratings Record, Marking MLB’s Big Comeback

Viewership of the five-game win by the Dodgers soared by 74% over last year.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
October 30, 2024

World Series Game 4 Draws 16.7M Viewers, Up 92% From 2023

The average audience of 16.7 million nearly doubles the comparable figure from last year.
October 30, 2024

NFL TV Ratings Up and Down in October As Election Draws Near

The NFL took an 8% ratings hit around the 2016 presidential cycle.
October 29, 2024

Baseball Wins the Night: World Series Outdraws ‘Monday Night Football’

MLB gains a rare head-to-head viewership win over the NFL.
October 29, 2024

Jets Prime-Time NFL Schedule Rolls On Despite 2–6 Record

The Jets are 1–3 in prime-time appearances so far.