Chris “Mad Dog” Russo didn’t hold back on his latest appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, where he candidly weighed in on the hype surrounding Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, making his debut for the Lakers. Russo, never one to shy away from controversy, questioned whether sports fans are truly as captivated by Bronny’s court time as the media appears to be, suggesting that the buzz is more a media creation than genuine fan interest.
And, in a bold comparison, he went on to claim that his son, Colin, is a better radio host than Bronny is a basketball player.
Initially, Russo seemed hesitant to share his opinion but was nudged by Dan Patrick to open up. Russo’s comments were prompted when Patrick asked if he’d ever consider lobbying SiriusXM to give his son Colin, a 2024 graduate of the University of Wisconsin and current ESPN West Palm co-host, a regular spot on the radio.
Russo acknowledged the ethical gray area, explaining why he wouldn’t request a nepotistic favor for his son’s career. “I wouldn’t say that because these jobs are very difficult to get,” he replied, adding, “and I think that advantage for him would be unfair. So I would not tell bosses, ‘Hey, do me a favor, make sure Colin Russo gets on Sirius and does a once-a-week show with me.’”
Patrick continued, lightheartedly pushing Russo to be more direct. Russo initially balked, saying, “I’ll say this right now… well, I won’t say that because that will get me in trouble.” Patrick teased him further, joking, “Your wife’s out of town. You can’t get in trouble.” The encouragement worked, and Russo went all in.
“I’ll say it. Colin, from a radio perspective, he is better at what he does right now than Bronny at what he does. How’s that? I’ll say that with all sorts of confidence,” Russo declared with a grin.
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His son, Colin, has been carving out a space for himself in sports media, currently co-hosting a show in the afternoon drive slot on ESPN West Palm, a Good Karma affiliate. Colin’s experience may still be budding, but his father’s confidence in his potential clearly knows no bounds.
Meanwhile, Bronny James, who saw just under three minutes of playtime during Tuesday’s game, has yet to fully find his footing with the Lakers. With his debut on hold for now, it remains uncertain when Bronny will become a regular presence on the court.
Russo’s remarks add another layer to the media debate surrounding Bronny’s journey, sparking questions over the real weight of media hype versus genuine fan enthusiasm.
And in typical “Mad Dog” fashion, Russo’s comparisons and confidence in his son have left fans buzzing about the audacious on-air exchange.
