In the world that is sports debate talk, ESPN's First Take has sit a top the throne as the most notable show of this genre. After struggling in 2021, there are already some signs that the show is again on the rise with viewers.
First Take had a great January during the NFL playoffs and continued that success into February with the Super Bowl. The addition of Chris "Mad Dog" Russo has also helped ratings reach a its newest high since 2021.
According to The Big Lead, the sports debate show is averaging 445,000 viewers, up 22% in 2021. It is also the highest number for the show since 2018. After the axing of Max Kellerman and dealing with a bout of COVID, Smith told Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post that he's enjoying his role on the show now more than ever.
"I am energized," Smith told the New York Post a few weeks ago. "But it’s because of Molly [Qerim] and all the contributors I work with every day and how much fun they make it for me. It doesn’t even feel like work. I’m having the time of my life. That’s where the energy comes from. Hard to have that if you’re depressed about work."
ESPN's marquee show has seen a large boost, thanks in large part to Russo, who so far, has fit the loud and brash Smith perfectly on-air. In fact, someone on our team called for the two bombastic sports media personalities to get together on television for the longest.
To show you an example of their chemistry, on-air, here is a segment during the show this week when Russo hilariously questions whether Steph Curry is a top ten player of all-time.
It's about time these two share the same platform together. Who knows what ESPN's next move will be, but if I was an exec at Disney, I would offer "Mad Dog" whatever amount of money he wants because despite people on social media calling him a 'Wal Mart Skip Bayless,' Russo was a pioneer at WFAN and was Skip before Skip. Russo was known as the loud and brash New York shock jock alongside Mike Francesca for the FAN's afternoon drive show. He then went on to Sirius XM Radio where he has his own station.
If ESPN does decide to give Russo a more permanent spot on the show, I for one who tune in if anything big across the world of sports happens.
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