“It’s the only thing that I started in that I didn’t finish,” Markel, a local businessman who was the longtime owner of the Chuck’s Boots operation, said then. “As people can testify, once I start something, I get it done.”

But his view has changed now.

“It’s out of sight, out of mind with me,” Markel said this week. “I had it all set before.”

His intended lineup included Kevin Slaten moving from middays to morning drive time, followed by Frank Cusumano remaining in the late-morning slot.

Who he would have in the midday slot had not been determined, but Markel had planned to fill the key afternoon drive-time block with DINO COSTA — a firebrand who had brief stints at the station in 2016 and 2019.

-ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH

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But Cridlebaugh, a radio lifer, also calls Costa "one of the greatest radio-talk-show hosts that has ever lived. In part, that's because Costa is an extraordinarily talented radio host – acerbically articulate, angrily funny, intense to the point of mental imbalance. Costa makes Colin Cowherd or Skip Bayles, two of ESPN'S best-known Angry Male alphas, seem mild and reasonable. Compared with them, Costa is more like a militia leader broadcasting direct from Ruby Ridge under siege, an army of liberals blasting away from the other side of the barbed wire. He is the host of 'The Dino Costa Show,' which goes out to an audience of 23 million subscribers on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Radio channel 86. Over the years of his tumultuous career, Costa has stumbled onto a winning formula: He takes the overheated sports-talk-radio arguing, infuses it with Tea Party–inspired politics (Obama is the "worst president in the history of the country"; Mitt Romney is an untrustworthy "fake") and evangelical sermonizing (diatribes attacking the "gay and lesbian lifestyle"); adds a healthy dose of politically incorrect boundary-pushing (Ben Roethlisberger got a bum rap on that whole raping a girl in a bar thing; the NBA All-Star Game should pit white players against black); throws in some borderline felonious ranting (to a caller on the show: "I'll put a can of WD-40 right up your ass, and you won't be squeaking the rest of your life, you rat bastard!"); and generally helped carry the Aggrieved White Man's Burden through the Great Recession of 2012.

-MEN'S JOURNAL NATIONAL MAGAZINE PROFILE-

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"Dino Costa is a radio genius"

-DENNIS MILLER-

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SXM’s Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo is interested in conspiracy theories and concocted another one Wednesday when the phones on his high budget show went dead. Dog blamed the malfunction on old nemesis Dino (Mastermind) Costa.  Even after all these years Costa, who belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of SXM “Mad Dog Sports Radio” hosts, is still somewhere in Doggie’s head

-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Dino Costa is a prominent figure in the world of sports radio broadcasting, known for his passionate and often controversial approach to discussing sports. While opinions about Dino Costa may vary widely, there are several aspects of his career and persona that have contributed to his reputation as a notable radio host.

One of Dino Costa's key strengths is his ability to engage audiences through his dynamic and unapologetic style. He doesn't shy away from expressing strong opinions, even on contentious topics, which can make for compelling radio and stimulate lively discussions among listeners. This willingness to tackle tough subjects head-on has helped him build a dedicated following of fans who appreciate his candor and fearlessness.

Furthermore, Dino Costa's deep knowledge of sports, particularly American football and basketball, adds credibility to his commentary. His insights into player performances, team strategies, and broader trends in the sports world demonstrate a keen understanding of the games he covers. This expertise allows him to offer valuable analysis and perspectives that resonate with his audience, fostering a sense of trust and respect among listeners.

In addition to his broadcasting skills, Dino Costa's work ethic and dedication to his craft are evident in his consistent presence on the airwaves. Hosting a successful radio show requires discipline, preparation, and the ability to stay engaged with current events and developments in the sports industry. Costa's commitment to staying informed and delivering quality content on a regular basis is a testament to his professionalism and passion for his work.

While Dino Costa's style may not appeal to everyone, there's no denying his impact on sports radio and his ability to captivate audiences with his bold and outspoken personality. Whether you agree with his viewpoints or not, his contributions to the industry are significant, and he continues to be a polarizing but influential figure in the world of sports media.

‍-ChatGTP-

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When SXM “Sportszone” program director Tim Sabean pulled Costa off the air Wednesday, Dino’s days were numbered. He was yanked for being himself, going on an entertaining riff (it wasn’t the first time) about how his bosses wanted to change him, turn him into someone only capable of robotic sports recitations with no depth or imagination. Whoever threw Costa off SXM’s Ship of Fools never understood they had a singularly unique personality, a yakker who built and maintained a cult following and more. Instead of building on that foundation, they tore down the house, burned it, then celebrated their own stupidity.

-NY DAILY NEWS-

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On SiriusXM Radio, Dino Costa, authors a headline-grabbing show, equipped perfectly for satellite, in which callers traditionally let loose as Costa often offers up no-holds-barred commentary. It Makes the most of the platform.

-AUTHOR TIM SULLIVAN FROM THE GROUNDBREAKING BOOK ON WFAN RADIO-

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"It’s more a matter of self-preservation than anything else. For five years, I fashioned a tremendously successful show on SiriusXM, however, internal disagreements about the direction of the show and it’s future culminated in an unfortunate separation. At that point, I knew that gaining re-entry into the industry would be difficult, given my provocative style, given that the broadcast arena has been scrubbed clean of independent thought with personalities who have their own ideas and who refuse to kowtow to the establishment mindset. I love doing extemporaneous, organic, spoken-word radio, and I love each day that affords me the opportunity to deliver a one-of-a-kind, unique, and non-conforming platform. I think The Dino Costa Show, with all of the rare and exclusive features it possesses, is in its own way, as important and as crucial as any program on the radar. I have no doubt that if my show was ever given the support and the backing of any credible person within the industry, and if it was provided with the kind of exposure and visibility vehicles it’s deserving of, my show would explode across America and capture a gargantuan audience. I’m just skeptical that there’s anyone smart enough in the industry who is able to recognize this."

-BREITBERT National Feature

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DOGGIE STILL A (W)FAN?It appears Chris (Mad Dog) Russo is keeping his employment options open – including a return to WFAN. Why else would Doggie verbally destroy his colleague, the Mastermind, Dino Costa, during his Thursday Sirius/XM gabfest? Costa’s sin? Ripping Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa for dissing Russo. Francesa told Mikhail Prokhorov Doggie was “working somewhere else” and has gone to radio “obscurity.” After contending that he has much respect for the Pope as a radio pro, Costa proceeded to pound him. “Radio obscurity your big fat ass,” Costa said. “The guy (Russo) is doing a national show.” Costa had a few other choice words for his Holiness. Instead of thanking the Mastermind for watching his back, Russo, once again genuflecting to Francesa, skewered Costa. Stuff like “what has Dino done in his career?” and “Dino, you actually worked in Wheeling, West Virginia.” “Enough is enough,” Russo said. “Let me fight the battles with WFAN.” Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Now, some of this could just be radio shtick. The more troubling aspect, which Costa alluded to on his Thursday night “Experience,” is that “Mad Dog Radio” management had a problem with him trashing Francesa. This would indicate someone at “MDR” needs to grow a spine – pronto. If Dog and his lackeys have a problem it ain’t Dino. He’s actually entertaining. Perhaps they should shift their concern to cleaning out “MDR’s” morning drive-time garbage dump

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Listening to Dino Costa’s 970-AM show is like walking down a dark alley — you never know who or what is going to jump out and “surprise” you. On a recent show, Costa encouraged all callers to dial in and say what they hate about him and his show. This made for some very interesting radio.

-NY DAILY NEWS-

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For reasons known only to him, WABC-AM’s Sid (Sidiot) Rosenberg thought it was a swell idea to go on Twitter Thursday and gloat over the apparent demise of 970-AM’s Dino (Mastermind) Costa. Early Thursday morning, Costa, who funds his own Midnight-3 a.m. show, said he would be pulling the plug on it in early August. But by early Friday morning, Costa, who has been known to frequently change his mind, did it again saying — loudly — he was staying put and the show would continue. Ironically, he credited Rosenberg, among others, for providing the inspiration to press on. Then, on the air, all hell broke loose. Costa, along with his producer, Cigarette proceeded to, in a hot and hilarious spiel, surgically (and graphically), dissect Rosenberg’s career “highlights.” By the way, In Rosenberg’s Thursday tweet he tried getting me involved but I was too busy doing laundry to join the fray.

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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"Who is your nighttime guy on Mad Dog Radio? Dino Costa? He's great...that boy is great, that boy is good"

-DON IMUS

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“The world of overnight sports talk will get a much-needed shot of juice starting Tuesday morning when Dino (Mastermind) Costa launches his new show (Tuesday-Friday, Midnight to 3 a.m.) on AM 970 The Answer.” “Obviously there is a lot of great sports radio in New York,” Costa said. “I feel privileged to be a part of the New York sports radio scene and I hope I can do my part to provide another option for sports fans looking for something a little bit different.”“What, a humble Dino too? It’s got to be an act, right?

-NY DAILY NEWS

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Dino Costa is talented, opinionated and controversial.  For a radio personality, that’s pretty much the perfect mix.  There’s probably no better collection of attributes that does more to grab ratings. Yet Costa isn’t on the radio right now. He was fired last fall from Sirius XM, where he hosted a nighttime sports talk show for five years on the company’s high profile Mad Dog Sports Radio channel (named for Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, the longtime New York AM sports radio talker lured away by Sirius with a five-year, $15 million contract in 2008), where he had developed a loyal following.

-NATIONAL FORBES MAGAZINE STORY-

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In 2006, Costa also gotten his first taste of national exposure, by picking a fight with Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin in the locker room after a game. Costa crowded Martin during an interview. Martin told Costa to "back the fuck up," and Costa, who still calls Martin "a piece of shit, no class, despicable human being," responded by telling the very large and heavily muscled professional athlete to go fuck himself.

-NATIONAL MEN'S JOURNEL MAGAZINE FEATURE

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‍If Dino (M‍astermind) Costa was trying to get a reaction out of his former SXM colleague Chris (Mad Dog) Russo, he has succeeded — big-time. “It’s no surprise Costa has continued his early morning verbal assaults on Dog during his 970-AM (The Answer) show. He’s trying to put a spotlight on himself. The latest salvo had Dino accusing Russo of stiffing a Minny cab driver during his Super Bowl week shows. Coincidentally (or was it?) a regular SXM caller (Mario From Minnesota, who is a cab driver) dialed up Russo’s show on Thursday to dispute Doggie’s version of how Dino departed SXM after five years on the job. Incredibly these two Yap Flappers have something in common. When they speak about each other they do it in tones of disdain/disregard bordering on hate. It’s impossible to stop listening to either of them. If it’s any consolation, Dino has not been much kinder to 98.7’s Michael Kay, to whom he derisively refers as “Baby Huey. And when it comes to Kay’s quest to be No. 1 in afternoon drive ratings Costa, after referring to Kay “as a TV guy masquerading as a talk show host” and “thin-skinned,” said: “Number one of what? A sports radio castle someone like me can huff and puff and blow over. Anyway, as long as Russo is booking a reunion with Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa every other month, Doggie should get together with Dino for an hour or so. At least that would be worth listening to.

-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Sid (Sidiot) Rosenberg must be losing his mojo. On his Thursday night Sirius/XM masterpiece, Dino Costa torched Sidiot’s new book, dissecting it with the precision of a brain surgeon. To say The Mastermind totally embarrassed Sidiot is being kind. That’s why it was stunning Rosenberg did not call in to confront Costa. The old Sidiot never backed down. Rosenberg was listening (Smart move. He can learn something from Dino). Stoolies said Sidiot e-mailed Costa. We don’t know the contents of his missive. Or if it is even suitable for printing in this newspaper.

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Costa is unpredictable but clever. He’s compelling. An original – a mastermind.

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Dude of the Week: DINO COSTA. The resident lunatic and mastermind of Sirius/XM’s “Mad Dog Radio” did not disappoint during his Manhattan invasion. Costa threw a wicked curve Thursday night when he teamed with Electric Circus ringmaster Scott Ferrall. A situation ready to spin out of control, featuring two yutzes fitted for matching straitjackets before the gig, proved to be edgy and enlightening – seriously. The roof didn’t blow off until King Scotty departed. Costa morphed into Ferrall, doing a perfect, hour–long imitation of the gravelly voiced yakker. Under this cover, Dino MC’d a Dump–O–Thon, torching numerous suspects – including his boss, Chris (Mad Dog) Russo. Costa indicated Doggie wears his “Marquis” costume outside the studio. “(Russo) puts on a wig,” Costa said. “He needs to see a psychiatrist.”

-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Controversial SiriusXM Radio Personality DINO COSTA to Be Subject of New Documentary Film from Chesapeake Films

Filming will begin in Cheyenne, Wyoming on April 18, 2013. The documentary film will be directed by Joel Franco, cinematography by Darko Nikolich, edited by Anthony Bernard, sound design by Karol Urban, and original music by Marianthe Bezzerides. The film will begin shooting in Wyoming, where Dino Costa resides and produces his daily radio sports talk show, The Dino Costa Show. The crew will then follow Costa to New York, NY, to continue filming Costa's hometown, friends, fans, and family.

Franco wanted to do the film because, "Dino is a breath of fresh air in the world of cookie-cutter sports talk radio. He is fiercely independent and connects with his audience like few can. I just knew that under that big personality was a story waiting to be told. I am so excited to begin."

When asked about the film, Dino Costa said, "When I embarked on my career as a talk show host, I wanted to achieve many objectives; I never thought about the possibility of someone wanting to do a film about my career and my life. In speaking with Joel about his vision for this film, I'm confident that collaborating with the crew at Chesapeake Films will culminate in a documentary about my life that people will find interesting and compelling."

-CHESAPEAKE FILMS MEDIA RELEASE-

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What a week Dino Costa turned in on Sirius/XM filling in for Chris (Mad Dog) Russo. Do everyone a favor Doggie, take another week off so The Mastermind can mastermind afternoon drive. Plenty of highlights. Like On Thursday, when Costa took 79 calls in an hour. Or Wednesday, when he psycho–analyzed himself. Never easy. We now have more proof Costa is cutting through. Last week, we were approached by a former WFAN talkie who now spends his time on TV. He seemed miffed over our role as Costa’s chief pom–pom waver.

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Costa’s a must–listen. If Sirius/XM’s Chris (Mad Dog) Russo was transported back in time, and asked to scout a young Sandy Koufax, his report would have said: “He’s got too much on his curveball. He’s too wild. I’ll take a pass.” If Russo continues dumping on Costa, it will provide ample evidence that, as a talent evaluator, Doggie’s clueless. With Costa working the night shift, there’s now actually a terrific reason to listen to “MDR” after 8 p.m. By the way, Costa will be filling in for Doggie this week. This means there is finally a great reason to listen to “MDR” from 2 p.m.–7 p.m.

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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VIDEO: What I've Learned from Listening to DINO COSTA

Copy & Embed Link: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/99fec9bc398b57efaf27cc8fab77e00d/what-ive-learned-from-listening-to-dino-costa

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Tuesday, Jackson phoned in after Russo inferred Reggie is a guy suffering from the disease of me. “I’m your friend,” Jackson said. “You can’t be banging me.” Wonder what Jax would’ve done if he heard Dino Costa’s Monday night rant? The Mastermind replayed Russo’s interview, pausing only to put a verbal beatdown on Jackson. Costa came to a singular conclusion. “Reggie Jackson,” Costa said, “is a narcissistic bastard.”

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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As he does most every week, Chris (Mad Dog) Russo torched Dino Costa, the Mastermind of “Mad Dog Radio.” Dog ain’t no dope. Just mentioning Dino stirs listeners up. Russo also knows the tremendous value of Costa. That’s why gnomes working for Doggie got Costa to agree to a renegotiated, one–year deal, which will keep Dino yakking in the kennel (for more than dog bones) through March 2011.

‍ -NY DAILY NEWS-

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The Dino Costa experience continues infiltrating every crevice of Sirius/XM’s “Mad Dog Radio.” On “Stack’s House,” Jerry Stackhouse went Dino on Richard Jefferson, torching the Spurs forward. Unfortunately, someone didn’t sprinkle some Dino Dust on Chris (Mad Dog) Russo before his interview with Mark McGwire. Ain’t calling this a Twinkie Munch. Just saying Doggie wasn’t as biting as he can be. Maybe listening to some Dino tapes will get the Dog back in the groove.

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Matthew Mandel of Kearny has been a huge fan of Costa’s work, dating back to his arrival at Mad Dog Radio. He says having Costa’s show online rather than on satellite or terrestrial radio has made it significantly better.

“He doesn’t answer to anyone anymore,” Mandel said. “When he was on Sirius, he never got the respect he deserved from his bosses. Now, he holds nothing back at all. He tells it like it is. If a team or an athlete ticks him off, he’s going to say so — and he could do that without the fear of potential consequences.

“That has made the Dino Costa Show so much better than it was before.”

Mike Ranford of Belleville agrees — even though he hasn’t always been a fan of Costa’s.

“He says what he means, and he means what he says,” Ranford said. “There were times in the past he’s said stuff that just infuriated me. But when you think of it, that’s what sports talk radio is all about. It’s purely entertainment. And with an online platform, Dino entertains while bringing his fans the best sports radio has to offer.

“He is much better off today without Sirius/XM as far as I am concerned. I just hope the online platform takes off and people are willing to pay a minimal fee to get better sports radio than any of the two terrestrial stations in the area (WFAN and WEPN) can offer.”

-The Observer Newspaper-

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Never underestimate the radio savvy of Sirius/XM’s Chris (Mad Dog) Russo. After doing a full five–hour shift on Tuesday, Doggie made a lengthy appearance on DinoCosta’s yakk attack during the first hour of that show. Obviously Russo knows where most “Mad Dog Radio” listeners are. He wants a piece of Costa’s action, if only to promote his slo–mo afternoon show. Dog looked to use Dino as his personal fire hydrant. But it was Russo who got dissed on. Doggie was no match for Costa, the Mastermind, during a debate over the merits of Jerry West and Kobe Bryant.

‍-NY DAILY NEWS-

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Dino Costa joined SiriusXM in 2009 and since that time has hosted the nighttime show on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Sports Radio channel.  Truly a departure from the status quo, The Dino Costa Show is unlike anything else currently heard on sports radio.  Willing to tackle issues and stories with a fearlessly independent eye, Dino hosts his show with a straight ahead, pull no punches style as he provides commentary and opinion on all the issues across the sporting landscape.

In 2012, Costa was recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the country's best national radio voices.  He was also named by Talkers Magazine as one of the "Heavy Hundred of Sports Talk," which identifies the most important sports talk radio hosts in America.  

"When I joined SiriusXM nearly five years ago, my objective was to deliver listeners across North America a brand of sports commentary and opinion that they had never heard before, something that was a radical departure from the status quo," said Costa.  "I feel I have accomplished that and gained a more than appreciable audience over that time.  Creating and delivering the kind of a show I do would not have been possible anyplace other than SiriusXM and it is an honor and a privilege to be with what I consider to be the mightiest radio broadcaster on planet earth.  I enjoyed my time with Mad Dog Sports Radio and now I look forward to new challenges and conquests and feel more enthused than ever at the prospects of making SiriusXM Sports Zone a destination channel for our valued subscribers. This is the start of something very big!"

-SIRIUSXM PRESS RELEASE-

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Award-winning actor and New York native Chazz Palminteri called into “The Dino Costa Show” on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Radio recently to weigh in on the decision by Jets coach Rex Ryan to appear in an upcoming Adam Sandler movie as a New England Patriots fan. Costa was critical of Ryan’s judgment and Palminteri phoned in to voice his agreement, citing his own experiences in Hollywood and the steadfast devotion to his beloved Yankees that prevents him from donning any other team’s apparel.“There were a couple of movies where they wanted me to wear a Mets hat and I said ‘no,’” said the writer and star of “A Bronx Tale.” “And the director was really insistent and I said, ‘Look, get somebody else. I can’t wear the hat.’ And they said, ‘Chazz, you’re a character. It’s not you.’ I said, ‘I can’t put it on. I can’t do it.’”As for Ryan’s willingness to associate himself with a rival team, even if only on the silver screen, Palminteri said, “That means he cares more about Rex Ryan than he does about the team. He doesn’t need the money. He doesn’t have to do that. I couldn’t put on another uniform unless it was a Yankee hat or a Yankee uniform. I swear on my mother and father I couldn’t do it.”

-NY POST-

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