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After SiriusXM replaced Damon Amendolara with Steve Torre on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Chris Russo admits the decision was likely financial. Russo joined Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber Tuesday morning to promote WFAN and a cast of other Audacy stations officially joining SiriusXM this week. In addition to its usual offerings, WFAN can now also be heard on SiriusXM channel 94 on the app and in car radios. Near the end of the segment, Roberts asked Russo about the recent changes on Mad Dog Sports Radio’s morning show led by the decision not to renew Amendolara’s contract after three years on the show. Replacing Amendolara is program director Steve Torre, who will co-host the morning show with incumbent host Mike Babchik. Russo emphasized Torre’s familiarity with the audience and long connection to the channel, being part of Mad Dog Sports Radio since it launched in 2008. But he did admit this was likely a financial decision. “There’s always a financial component,” Russo said. “If you think there isn’t, you’re crazy. D.A.’s contract was probably up. And they’re not gonna pay Steve the same money they’re going to pay D.A.” Russo also praised Amendolara for finishing his tenure on Mad Dog Sports Radio while knowing his contract was not being renewed. Previously, SiriusXM saw Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker go on-air to bash the company after learning they were being replaced by Stephen A. Smith. But they still allowed Amendolara to remain on-air after learning the company wasn’t going to give him another contract. And to his credit, Amendolara took the high road. While SiriusXM wanting to save money on Mad Dog Sports Radio by elevating a program director to morning radio host might not bode well for the company’s financials, Russo assured everyone that the platform is doing just fine. “You think Stephen A. Smith came to Sirius for $500,000 a year? When Sirius wants to spend money, they have the money,” Russo said. “Sirius is going to be here for a long time. I think they’re going to change the way they do business, but Sirius is going to be here for a long time.” The decision to replace Amendolara with Torre has not been received well by many, with it often being portrayed as a program director seeking to elevate himself. But Russo portrayed this as a 62-year-old radio host who lives 55 miles away from the studio now altering their lifestyle because they were asked to do so by higher-ups. Torre might ultimately be excited about the opportunity and platform, but this was not an ego-serving move.