ESPN character Chris “Mad Dog” Russo was livid over having to do his phase within the hallway after the ability went out on “First Take,” and he blamed the mishap on Stephen A. Smith’s wage.
Throughout Wednesday’s installment of “First Take,” Russo and co-host Molly Qerim used flashlights after she mentioned “we lost power” at ESPN’s South Road Seaport studios in New York.
“If they didn’t pay Stephen A. $400 million, maybe they could pay their freakin’ bills, ESPN!” Russo yelled within the digital camera throughout his “What Are You Mad About” phase, which was filmed in a nook hallway beneath an exit signal.
“[ESPN chairman] Jimmy [Pitaro] and the fellas, I mean goodness gracious … How dare you squeeze me and stick me in a hallway… you took me away from my site all because you gotta pay him $150 million guaranteed!”
Smith signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension with ESPN in March, in accordance with The Athletic.
The ESPN character — who was not on the set of “First Take” and appeared just about on the present — had giggle over Russo’s commentary.
“That is funny and he deserves it,” Smith mentioned. “You don’t need to be in the studio telling lies, you need to be in the hallway doing it. Good for you.”
Russo and Qerim took the present to the hallway, the place he complained in regards to the outdated lights earlier than slapping the wall.
Qerim couldn’t assist however giggle at Russo’s antics as he yelled, “I don’t like that!”
