Pat McAfee witnessed the departure of ESPN executive Norby Williamson, a figure he hasn’t held in high regard, and speculation swirled about McAfee’s potential influence in the decision.
While some reports suggest otherwise, Dan Le Batard isn’t convinced.
On Friday’s episode of The Dan Le Batard Show, Le Batard argued that McAfee has attained a level of influence at ESPN where he can essentially do as he pleases, leaving the network’s staff somewhat apprehensive of him while McAfee himself remains unafraid.
Le Batard pointed to McAfee’s decision to walk away from a lucrative deal elsewhere to join ESPN, despite skepticism about his potential success, as evidence of his clout. He suggested that McAfee and Stephen A. Smith possess an unusual ability to publicly criticize executives, leading to their subsequent departures.
According to Le Batard, Williamson’s removal signifies McAfee’s increased power, as he congratulated McAfee for demonstrating that with sufficient support, he can effectively challenge those who wrong him.
“He blew up a four year, $120 million deal to take this one at ESPN, and everyone thinks it’s going to fail,” Le Batard said, via Awful Announcing. “But they’re letting him do whatever he wants. They’re all a little bit afraid of him, and he’s not afraid of anybody.”
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Le Batard reflected on McAfee’s ability to leverage his connection with influential figures, noting his own missed opportunity to do the same. He acknowledged McAfee’s success in utilizing his backing to assert his influence, contrasting it with his own approach, which he described as less confrontational.
Le Batard’s observations hint at McAfee’s growing prominence within ESPN, suggesting that he has become a force to be reckoned with, capable of shaping the network’s landscape to his advantage.
