Pat McAfee has a five-year deal with ESPN. It is possible that this relationship may not last for five months.
During his Friday show on ESPN, McAfee accused ESPN executive Norby Williamson of trying to rig the system.
“I believe, Norby Williamson is that guy who is trying to spoil our program,” McAfee said, via Ryan Glaspiegel New York Post, “Now, I’m not 100 percent sure. It seems like he’s the only person who has information, and then that information gets leaked, and it’s wrong, and it sets a narrative about our show.”
This is a risky move from McAfee, even though he was 100 percent sure that Williamson Negative rating information leaked To Andrew Marchand of Post, Calling executives from the network that employs you on the same platform that the network offers is never a move that lays the foundation for a harmonious relationship that will stand the test of time.
“(A) Will we face a rat every time?” McAfee added. “Someone tried to release our real ratings with wrong numbers 12 hours ago. This is an attempt at sabotage. This has been happening throughout this season from some people who did not like ‘The Pat McAfee Show’, a longtime addition to the ESPN family. There are a lot of them.”
Even if he’s right, this is the kind of move that will escalate the situation and prompt the enemies within the building to make even more zealous efforts to blow things up. Especially at a time when ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel is upset about things Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on the show earlier this week.
Maybe McAfee will win. Maybe he will emerge with greater power and influence. It is possible that Williamson may be fired. Perhaps all other internal enemies will be defeated.
The safe bet is that the decision to make the feud public will lead to a premature divorce. If McAfee believes forces within ESPN are working against him, that’s probably what he wants.
