Get a load of this:

Damn. That’s $400,000! 10 grand per appearance! That’s 10k to yap about Bob Cousy. 10k to get dominated by JJ Redick. 10k to bloviate about Aaron Rodgers while struggling with a chair. 10k to have your glasses fall off your face.

From James Kratch at sister site ESNY:

That has to be the best $400,000 the worldwide leader has ever spent. They probably make their money back within the first 15 minutes of each telecast. Russo is trending on Twitter every week like clockwork, followed by an avalanche of content everywhere you turn. America cannot get enough of Russo.

James is right. 2022 is the year of the Mad Dog. He’s like a serviceable Skip Bayless replacement. He’s enjoying a RESURGENCE and will earn enough money just from First Take appearances this year to pay off the rest of my mortgage. It’s kind of sad if you think about it. It’s one of those things where you aren’t sure whether to laugh, cry, or buy a gun.