Just like that, the long rumored breakup between Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and Mike Francesa has finally come to pass. Neil Best of Newsday first reported on the rift back in June and now according to Newsday, it's official...
WFAN announced Thursday that it has released Chris (Mad Dog) Russo from his contract.
This means the end of his 20-year partnership with Mike Francesa on the highly successful “Mike and the Mad Dog Show.”
Russo, whose contract was to run until the Fall of 2009, has been rumored to be headed to Sirius XM Radio. Sources said Russo has no signed agreement with the satellite company.
Russo will not make a final appearance on WFAN.
Renowned for his signature greeting - "AAAAAAANNNNNNDDDDD good afternoon everybody! How are you todaaaay?" - and his tirades, Russo joined WFAN in December 1988 as an overnight, weekend and fill-in host.
These two were the best and worst of Sports Talk Radio, but in the end, I'm sad to see them split. They were loud, obnoxious, combative, stubborn and a tad bit dumb, but I just couldn't get enough of them. I listened to them for a good three hours the day that the Mitchell Report came out and I was riveted.
The other good thing they had going for them was that they had no affiliation with ESPN Radio and still nationally known. Local Sports Radio outlets are slowly being purged across the Country, and with Daniel Snyder having already bought up every DC station, I think the last of my out-of-town Sports Radio go tos are gone.
Update: Via WFAN operations director Mark Chernoff....
"WFAN announced today it has signed a multi-year contract with Mike Francesa making him the sole host of afternoon drive (1:00-6:30PM) on the nation’s first and most listened to all-sports station. Mike began his career at WFAN in 1987 and has been heard in afternoons on the station since Sept. 5, 1989."
Chris (Mad Dog) Russo out at WFAN (Newsday)
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