Ever since Monday morning, ESPN has been the talk of the sports media world. Initially, the world wide leader in sports made waves when it was revealed that they fired NFL analyst Ryan Clark. What was even more controversial was the fact that they fired him mid-show.
As was reported then, even more cuts came on Tuesday. Popular media personalities such as Karl Ravech, who had worked for ESPN since 1993 (33 years), and NFL insider Tom Pelissero were fired.
Of course, many fans were dismayed that some of their favorite reporters were let go. In their anger, they targeted Pat McAfee, who is rumored to be getting a massive eight-figure extension soon.
Pat McAfee claps back at fans blaming him for ESPN lay-offs
According to many rumors online, McAfee is going to sign a contract that will pay him $60 million a year. Stephen A. Smith, another colorful and polarizing ESPN figure, is believed to make $20 million a year.
Many fans, therefore, blamed them, and McAfee in particular, for numerous others being fired. During his show yesterday, the former Indianapolis Colts punter clapped back.
“We hate any time this happens,” McAfee said, via Pro Football Talk. “Obviously this is terrible. We don’t like that. But we are very honored that we are still partnered with ESPN and Disney for the good of sport and the future.
“The first time we licensed the show through ESPN, one of these happened, we got blamed,” he said. “OK, OK. Thank you. I feel like you don’t fully understand budgets and where things are coming from, but I do appreciate that. This time, we’re getting blamed as well. Which I guess I can understand, but I mean, there’s billions and billions of dollars in these companies, and hard decisions have to get made. And we don’t like any of them, and we hope we’re an asset to the company going forward.”
Obviously, McAfee acknowledges that he understands where fans are coming from. At the same time, though, he also says that he did not ask for cuts to be made.
$60 million annually is a great amount of money, more than McAfee ever made in his professional football career.
It is worth noting, though, that there is one specific thing that separates McAfee from many other popular sports media personalities: he owns his own content. If ESPN were to ever cut ties with him, he would have a plethora of other networks bidding for the opportunity to broadcast his show.
He is not out there actively trying to get other media members fired. However, he also knows his worth, and if the Disney corporation was not interested in paying him, another company would.
