Unfiltered commentary and criticism have always been part of Pat McAfee’s appeal, which is why ESPN licensed “The Pat McAfee Show.” McAfee’s ability to speak his mind, even when it comes to the network itself, has not gone unnoticed. In a recent episode of his show, McAfee made light of ESPN’s scandal involving fake names used to secure Emmy awards for “College GameDay” talent. McAfee jokingly asked what fake name they would use for him, prompting Kirk Herbstreit to reveal that he had eight of his Emmys repossessed during the investigation.
The scandal, previously reported by The Athletic, involved ESPN inserting fake names in the Emmy entries and then re-engraving the awards won by these imaginary individuals for on-air personalities. While it remains unclear who was responsible for the scheme, there is no evidence that any of the on-air personalities were aware that their Emmys had been improperly obtained. Herbstreit admitted that he was naive to the situation and had thought that the Emmys were rightfully given to the people on the set.
This interaction between McAfee and Herbstreit is just one example of McAfee using his thoughts about decision-makers at ESPN as fodder for his show. In a highly publicized incident, McAfee accused former ESPN executive Norby Williamson of sabotaging “The Pat McAfee Show” by leaking false viewership information to the media. McAfee referred to Williamson as a “rat.” Three months later, ESPN announced that Williamson would no longer be working at the company. Former ESPN EVP Mark Shapiro clarified that Williamson’s departure was unrelated to the Pat McAfee incident and was instead due to a misalignment with the content vision set by Jimmy Pitaro and Burke Magnus.
McAfee’s criticism of ESPN didn’t stop there. During an interview with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in January, Rodgers alleged that late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel would appear in court documents from a case filed against Jeffrey Epstein. McAfee apologized for the situation, stating that while they strive for an uplifting and fun show, sometimes they make light of serious allegations. Despite announcing that Rodgers would no longer appear on his show for the remainder of the NFL season, McAfee was surprised by Rodgers’ subsequent appearance.
Recently, McAfee mocked ESPN for what he believed was biased coverage favoring the New York Knicks during their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. McAfee accused on-air personalities Mike Wilbon and Doris Burke of displaying favoritism towards the Knicks. McAfee, a Pacers fan, sat courtside in a Pacers jersey for Game 4. He criticized Wilbon and Burke for their pre-game analysis that seemed to favor the Knicks and highlighted Doris Burke’s reaction to Jalen Brunson’s injury announcement.
In April, McAfee’s show took aim at ESPN’s reporting on Bill Belichick’s failed NFL job hunt. McAfee’s colleague, Boston Connor, scrutinized the article for its use of anonymous quotes and other perceived issues. McAfee’s ability to openly criticize ESPN and its reporting demonstrates his position of power and creative control over his show.
Since moving his show to ESPN in 2023, McAfee has solidified his position as a prominent figure in sports media. He holds a separate deal for his role on “College GameDay,” where he frequently collaborates with Kirk Herbstreit. McAfee’s unfiltered commentary and willingness to challenge the status quo have made him a compelling and influential voice in the industry.