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Is Pat McAfee to blame for ESPN's latest round of layoffs? Some NFL fans are convinced that's the case.
It was reported Tuesday that ESPN laid off a handful of prominent broadcasters and insiders, including Ryan Clark, David Lloyd, Tom Pelissero, Karl Ravech and Bart Scott. These are the first layoffs ESPN has made since acquiring NFL Network earlier this year.
Well before ESPN announced these layoffs, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported McAfee could receive an extension that would pay him upwards of $60 million per year.
Former NFL star J.J. Watt couldn't help but poke fun at that narrative during his interview on "The Pat McAfee Show" this Tuesday.
"Slow, slow news day over there on the ESPN airwaves, huh?" Watt said, via Daily Mail. "I mean, besides the fact that you're getting $100 million… Did they keep anybody? Or is everybody fired to pay you? I'm trying to figure that out."
McAfee was a bit stunned by Watt's comment, especially since a fair amount of sports fans are blaming him for ESPN's layoffs.
"We do not appreciate that," McAfee replied. "That is the narrative, and I'm certainly taking it on the shins. The boys and I are very proud of the work that we have done. Thanks."
Stephen A. Smith isn't thrilled with ESPN right now.
During this Tuesday's episode of his self-titled show, Stephen A. Smith called out ESPN for parting ways with Clark.
“Ryan Clark, someone I consider to be arguably the best NFL analyst in America, is no longer with ESPN,” Smith said. “I can’t even tell y’all how much that hurts. He’s a man, so he’ll handle it the way men do. But I’m going to miss him, and I’m not happy about this decision one bit. The bosses know I’m not happy about this decision. I’ve made that very, very clear.”
According to ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, the network is committed to "treating employees with compassion and respect and to providing support as they navigate this transition."
