Any sports fan must’ve heard of the name Mark Madden at some point. His bold opinions and shocking, often unconventional, style are admired and feared by many. It’s how he’s commanded attention in the sports media for years.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this rather opinionated personality has carved out quite a unique legacy—which I’ll be getting into today!
In this post, you’ll learn more about how Mark Madden, a once-professional wrestler, transcended the boundaries of mainstream sports journalism.
Mark Madden: Biography & Early Life
Mark Madden was born on December 29, 1959, making him a strong-headed and ambitious Capricorn. His hometown is Pittsburgh, where he grew up as an only child of a single mother.
For most of his formative years, Madden was in a Reserve Township, residing with his beloved mother until he was 40. As of 2024, Madden is 64 years old.
As for this mother, I keep speaking of her. She was a speech teacher at North Hills High School (one of the noblest positions you can have!). She also played a significant role in shaping Madden’s life, what with being the only parental figure in his life.
She made sure Mark had a passion for sports from a younger age. Madden mentioned that she’s also why he’s fearless when expressing his views. Sadly, she passed away in 2006 when Madden was around 47 years old.
Mark Madden: Education & Career Beginnings
Sources don’t say where Mark Madden went for a high school education, though they say he graduated from Duquesne University in 1982. It’s unclear, however, what he decided to major in.
I can assume he graduated with a degree in communications or media, and soon after graduation, Madden embarked on a career in sports journalism. For 15 years, he covered high school sports in the suburban sections of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (a local newspaper).
From the beginning, Madden set himself apart from others with his unique writing style. It was characterized by solid criticism and fearless commentary on a game. To some surprise, this refreshing style quickly gained him a reputation as an outspoken voice in the industry.
I’m here to report that Madden has remained set in his ways throughout his career! His mainstream sports journalism career included stints at the now-defunct Penguins Report and the weekly Pittsburgh City Paper.
Additionally, he’s made several appearances as a featured—and often respected, guest on several shows, including WTAE-TV’s sports discussion show and Action Sports Sunday.
Mark Madden: Career
Madden has had quite a lucrative career – that’s still going even though he’s well into his sixties! It goes to show just how passionate he is about sports.
Fun fact: Madden never married. No sources state that he has ever been seen with another woman or mentioned a relationship. It seems his love for sports superseded having a personal life.
Professional Wrestling
In the early 1990s, Madden’s career took an unexpected turn. He began writing for the Pro Wrestling Torch from 1992 to 1993.
That experience paved the way for him to eventually enter the world of professional wrestling as a TV color commentator. He was also a magazine writer for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) during the same time.
Madden’s tenure at WCW marked his willingness to embrace controversy and challenge conventional wisdom.
Madden also connected with his childhood idol, Ric Flair, through his work and charismatic presence. The pair developed quite a close friendship that lasted for 35 years before they got into a recent beef on X (more details on that later!).
Controversy & Scandals
As you might’ve guessed by now, Madden was no stranger to controversy throughout his career.
In 2000, he faced backlash for making derogatory remarks about WCW. He was advocating for the return of the released Scott Hall. He had also disclosed information about the sale of the company he wasn’t supposed to mention.
Shortly after, he was fired. Vince McMahon would later take his place in 2001.
Moving on, in May 2008, Madden was exiled from his talk show on Pittsburgh’s 1250 ESPN radio station due to another controversial comment he made. This one regarded the then Senator Ted Kennedy.
After the news of the latter having been diagnosed with a brain tumor, Madden came on to express his disappointment at the news, saying, “I always hoped Senator Kennedy would live long enough to be assassinated.”
Radio & Podcasting Career
Despite the controversies, Madden’s voice remains prominent in the Pittsburgh sports scene.
He currently hosts a weekday radio show on 105.9 The X, which has been running since 2006. He has also continued to write for TribLive magazine since he was hired in 2018.
Madden also took a gander at the rise of podcasting in recent years. He co-hosts The Best Wrestling Show with Pat McAfee and Mick Mansury in 2021. He hosted Ric Flair’s Wooooo Nation Uncensored for a while before he resigned in March 2022.
Now, here’s the tea on that, as promised:
Madden never resigned—he was fired, according to the person who ran the podcast, who was none other than his longtime friend and role model, Ric Flair! Flair went to X to explain that Madden was being let go and was replaced by Flair’s son-in-law, Conrad Thompson.
Mark Madden: Other Interesting Facts
Outside of sports, Madden is a passionate fan of Liverpool F.C. The man also enjoys classic rock and heavy metal music. His favorite band? UFO. If you listen to his show, you’ll often hear him incorporating his musical tastes into his episodes.
Additionally, did you know that in 2006, Madden suffered a heart attack while playing in a dek-hockey tournament? Interestingly, he only took a three-day break from the show before returning more vital than ever.
Takeaway
Whether you agree with his opinions, Madden remains an unstoppable force in sports media. His status as an icon is undeniable—even if polarizing!