Pat McAfee once again launched a scathing critique against ESPN chief Norby Williamson, reiterating his stance that he doesn’t answer to a “motherf****ng boss.”
The outspoken host of his own daily sports talk show on the network revisited his previous accusations against Williamson, whom he had accused of trying to undermine his program. While speaking on Showtime’s ‘All the Smoke’ podcast, McAfee refrained from naming Williamson directly but implied that his prior comments were a warning to someone of similar rank.
Asserting his autonomy, McAfee emphasized that he reports directly to ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro and Disney CEO Bob Iger, brushing off the notion of having a conventional boss. He then proceeded to detail past grievances with a particular executive, recounting instances of being stood up and enduring lengthy waits for meetings.
‘I report directly to [ESPN president] Jimmy [Pitaro] and [Disney CEO] Bob [Iger],’ McAfee said.
‘I saw [media reporting] “Pat calls out his boss.” I don’t got a motherf***ing boss. What are we …? We talking Jimmy Pitaro or Bob Iger?
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Reflecting on the friction surrounding his show’s placement in the SportsCenter lineup, McAfee likened the experience to being at war, particularly as some individuals within ESPN seemed unwelcoming upon his arrival to the network.
Expressing remorse for any unintended consequences of his remarks, McAfee acknowledged that he didn’t anticipate the extent of the fallout, despite feeling that his comments weren’t particularly extreme. He admitted to being surprised by the intensity of the response, recognizing the impact on allies like Pitaro and ESPN’s president of content, Burke Magnus.
In conclusion, McAfee reflected on the unexpected escalation of the situation, acknowledging both his efforts to maintain composure and the unexpected amplification of his words.
