A growing feud between Bill Simmons and Pat McAfee has taken center stage in recent weeks, with Simmons taking a shot at McAfee over the ratings he’s garnered since joining ESPN.
While Simmons may not wield the same level of influence and prestige he once did during his time as one of ESPN’s most popular personalities, he still maintains a sizable following at The Ringer. On the other hand, McAfee has found success in his transition from the NFL to a career as a media personality and is now one of ESPN’s most marketable names.
However, Simmons has made it clear he’s not a huge fan of McAfee’s approach to sports coverage. In January, Simmons attempted to sum up the essence of The Pat McAfee Show on his podcast, poking fun at McAfee’s style.
McAfee, not one to back down, fired back with a boast about his large following, setting the stage for a full-blown Sports Media Beef.
During a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons discussed ESPN’s recent ratings, noting growth in most programs except for the NBA and the program that replaced the 12 P.M. SportsCenter slot.
RELATED: Pat McAfee and Crew Dish Out Scathing Review for U2 Concert at MSG Sphere
Reading between the lines, The Pat McAfee Show currently airs at noon on ESPN and has struggled to match the ratings of SportsCenter in the same timeslot, largely due to its inability to retain viewers who were already tuned into First Take.
It remains to be seen if McAfee will respond to Simmons’ latest jab, but it seems likely that this feud will continue to unfold as both personalities are known for speaking their minds.
