ESPN pay cuts?

McAfee is Gen Z’s Portnoy, except he doesn’t go on about smokeshows and whatnot. He fits the beefy, macho dude persona template that’s popular in the Trump era.

Portnoy is aging himself out of the zeitgeist, much like Howard Stern did — then Stern reinvented himself, although I always thought Stern was a decent interviewer. Portnoy comes across to me as a one-trick pony who may not be able to pull that off. Let’s see in 20 years whether McAfee can, or if he’s just another idiot punter.

 

I never understood the coat-tie thing for sports people - TV, newspaper, whatever - although I am in favor of looking professional on the job. So, I get that. But we’re talking or writing about games. Joe & Jill Schmoe don’t care about my outfit (or shouldn’t).

And yet I’ve seen a sports editor, years ago, in sweatpants in a pressbox and now this GotPaid! clown in a tank top on TV.

IMO there should be some middle ground, at least. Dress for the occasion or appearance (like, on camera).

 

Not that ESPN didn't acquit itself well, but you wonder if the network cut more talent than they should have with Van Pelt's voice issue. You'd think, no problem throw it to Stu Scott, Trey Wingo, Suzy Kolber - and then they were stuck with Buck doing double-duty. You would think they would have a designated back-up for someone who carries as much freight as Van Pelt. And how much content would they be out if Stephen A, or McAfee were out of commission for a few weeks.

 

https://nypost.com/2023/10/12/pat-mcafee-pays-aaron-rodgers-millions-for-his-exclusive-interviews/

 

Disney paying millions to spread anti-vax propaganda will crush the tiny brains of conspiracy theorists.

 

I think the revelation is damaging to McAfee since a lot of his "cred" seemed to come from his ability to get Rodgers to open up on his show, that McAfee had a special relationship with Rodgers. Well it was $pecial. I'm also dumbfounded why Rodgers would just do it for the cash, Saban too. It really makes them seem more like "performers" on the show, since they are getting paid, than not giving a true and honest representation of their views.
And yet, all of the radio shows pimp athlete interviews put together via a corporate partner - Radio Row during the Super Bowl is lousy with them.

 

Aren't a lot of those regular spots paid? I'm guessing the ex-NFLers weekly chat with Zeke and the Gambler are not done for free.

And at least with the radio row stuff, it's clear that the interview is to pimp a product.

Dan Patrick often shares the story about when Matt Harvey was on to "honor" Qualcomm, but Harvey wasn't properly prepped to know that he was expected to answer some baseball questions and then talk about the product. The interview was painful.

Matt Harvey honors Qualcomm on the Dan Patrick Show 9/18/13 - Bing video

 

My first reaction was that I was surprised Rodgers and Saban were being paid. My second reaction was that I was really dumb to think otherwise.

 

McAfee is spreading himself thin - he will be burned out in a few years.

He is not smart enough to do this shit on the fly as others have done. And a total bore on TV.

 

The general thought here was that Saban was doing it as some kind of recruiting angle.

 

People who think they understand craft have called him a good interviewer.
I've heard better questions from the guy at the end of the bar- no joke.

 

I laughed at the story with the quotes about journalism, ethics and paying guests.

McAfee isn’t a journalist. He’s a talk show host. So, that’s just laughable to think he’s some kind of ivory tower journalist whose ethics are wonky.

No one ever should forget that the first word in ESPN is Entertainment. Their ethics have been compromised since the beginning.