The Mad Dog will be unleashed Sept. 15.
That is Sirius XM’s slogan for new host Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo, who will take over his own channel for the satellite radio provider. Though the show beings on the 15th, the start date for Russo’s new 24-hour sports talk channel was not announced today.
Russo signed a five-year contract with Sirius XM after 19 years with Mike Francesa on WFAN’s “Mike & Mad Dog” show. Russo will be on Sirius XM from 2-7 p.m.
“I thought I was a little stale the last couple of years at WFAN,” Russo said today at his introductory press conference in Midtown. “I consider this the second half of my career. Mel (Karmazin) being here had a lot to do with it.”
Karmazin bought WFAN when he was president of Infinity Broadcasitng, and now presides over Sirius XM. Karmazin said he believes the loss of Russo could damage The Fan.
“I don’t think you could find too many people that would say WFAN is stronger without Chris Russo,” Karmazin said. “If I was one of his competitors I would be very happy today.”
Russo said he would not be working with a partner.
“I am going to make this the best sports channel in America,” Russo said. “I am going to try my darndest.
“This is going to be me. We moved the show an hour back, so that way we lead right into the games.”
Russo said he is nervous about the move.
“I haven’t slept that well the last couple of nights,” Russo said. “I am nervous. If I wasn’t nervous then I wouldn’t have taken the job. I have this company putting some faith in me and that makes me nervous. I don’t see how you can turn down that opportunity. You are the boss, you have to take it.”
Russo’s departure from WFAN was announced Thursday. He appeared with Francesa for a final time briefly Friday via telephone. The pair wanted to do a reunion show, but the station did not allow it.
“I was surprised. I thought they were going to let us do one last show,” Russo said. “I understand their philosophy behind that, but I thought they would give us one more show. I give Mike a lot of credit for putting me on, because I don’t think they wanted me to. I thought Mike handled himself well.
“I was a little surprised it was that abrupt at the station. (I was there) 20 years, I am not going to say anything stupid.”
Russo said there was nothing WFAN could have done to keep him after Sirius XM offered him his own channel.
“WFAN was not going to give me a channel,” Russo said. “The channel was the key. I can have a $50 million house on the LIE, but if it’s not where I want it to be, I am not going to take it. If it’s just a show, but now I can put a brand on it.”
Boomer Esiason, who does the morning show with Craig Carton on WFAN, said despite Russo’s assurances, it always comes down to dollars and cents.
“When they say it’s not about the money, then it’s about the money,” Esiason said. “It is always about who is getting paid more or who is getting top billing. It’s nutty stuff that unfortunately always seems to break up what you think is an unbreakable pair.
“It’s a shame because they were great together. Now they are going to go their separate ways and hopefully they will find success.”
Francesa will continue by himself. Last week, he promised changes to the show, one of the highest-rated in its drive-time slot, when he returns from vacation following Labor Day.
Sirius XM is home to Howard Stern, who has two of his own channels plus a morning show.