Chris Russo weighed in on the drama surrounding Stephen A. Smith’s new show on SiriusXM.
Speaking on his radio show on Wednesday, Russo said he felt for his colleagues Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker, whose show “Beadle and Decker” — on Mad Dog Sports Radio — is being replaced by one of Smith’s new programs, but chalked up the move to the tough sports radio business.
“It’s a very tricky day. Michelle and Cody did nothing wrong based on what I heard today with their enthusiastic replies from their audience. They got a lot more fans than probably anybody thought of, including Sirius. But changes happen, and this is the industry we live in,” Russo said.
Russo said he knew that Smith, whom he also works with at ESPN, was coming to SiriusXM for about six weeks.
“I didn’t know where they were in the negotiations, but I certainly knew there was a conversation,” Russo said. “I heard a few weeks ago that it wasn’t gonna happen because there was no video component. I can tell you all sorts of things because I see Stephen A.”
The legendary broadcaster didn’t appear too thrilled with how the decision was handled.
On Wednesday, Beadle and Decker found out about their show being canceled just a few hours before going on the air.
“As far as how this was handled, because I know that has everybody bothered, there is no easy way to do this,” Russo said. “I have come to the conclusion… that the best way to do it is when you decide to make a change, just make the change. Don’t give the folks who you are changing from the opportunity to say goodbye, it never works. In most cases, this becomes a nasty and an ugly situation. And by all reports, it sounded like a little bit of that today.”
“I do understand that feelings are hurt here,” he continued. “In the future, you’re better off, if you’re the company, of just washing your hands of the previous show, paying them what they deserve, finishing out their contracts and letting them go. That’s it.”
During her radio show on Wednesday, Beadle admitted that it was “a little bit embarrassing” to find out the way they did.
“I’ve been in this business for 20-plus years, I’ve been treated poorly a couple times, this didn’t feel good, I’m not gonna lie,” Beadle said.
Smith announced his multi-year agreement with SiriusXM during an appearance on “The Howard Stern Show” on Wednesday, and will begin appearing on their platform in September.