Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel Debacle Puts ESPN in a Difficult Position to Begin 2024, According to New Report

After New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers accused ABC star Jimmy Kimmel of being on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein’s flight list, Kimmel responded with the threat of legal action, which has opened up “a big can of worms” within ESPN, according to Front Office Sports.

Kimmel said Rodgers’ remarks put his family in danger, and ESPN executives were trying to figure out how to respond to the legal threat Wednesday, per Front Office Sports.

BREAKING: Jimmy Kimmel threatens legal action against quarterback Aaron Rodgers for suggesting that his name would be on the Epstein associates list.

In a response to my original post about Rodgers’ comments, Kimmel said Rodgers’ “reckless words put my family in danger.”

“Dear… pic.twitter.com/zR4a8nhKTj

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 2, 2024

The initial suggestion that Kimmel was on the flight log came about on Rodgers’ weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. McAfee has since apologized for the show’s role in the unfounded accusations.

ESPN doesn’t want to have to get rid of their prized possession, the Pat McAfee show, just because of the Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel fued

Pat McAfee reportedly makes over $85 million within a five-year period, according to the New York Post. ESPN had to fire a slew of on-air personalities just to afford McAfee.

McAfee’s show has been a success for ESPN as it brings in viewers, but the nature of the show is a far cry from the careful nature of traditional network television. McAfee, and his weekly guest Rodgers, do not exercise the same level of caution when on air that a traditional television personality would.

An article from Front Office Sports has an ESPN source detailing why the success of the show makes ESPN’s next move difficult.

“This is a big can of worms for the new PR boss at ESPN [Josh Krulewitz], and for Disney/ABC. McAfee’s show is dangerous—but it gets viewers and makes money,” warns one ESPN source. “Rodgers has a deal with McAfee’s show that would be tough to void. Both Rodgers and McAfee don’t care about repercussions.”

ESPN has allowed McAfee to handle the controversy himself up to this point, but the potential liability that ESPN faces as a result of this feud could require the involvement of higher-ups. According to sources within ESPN, the plan is to try and ride out the storm in hopes that it will blow over

Aaron Rodgers has yet to apologize, but his apology could mean nothing legally should Jimmy Kimmel refuse to accept it

Rodgers might address the incident next week assuming he is allowed back on ESPN’s network, but nothing is stopping him from addressing the issue via social media.

Even if there is some sort of apology that Kimmel doesn’t accept, Kimmel will reportedly have a hard time getting any success with an actual case. The aforementioned Front Office Sports article has a lawyer explaining why.

 “[McAfee] and others immediately chuckled and groaned at the comment, as if Rodgers had made a bad joke,” says Lee E. Berlik, founder of the Virginia-based BerlikLaw. “Jokes are usually not supposed to be interpreted literally and, as such, typically will not support an action for slander.

“[Kimmel] has every right to pursue a court case” if “a substantial number of people interpreted Rodgers’s comment as a literal assertion that Kimmel had a relationship of some sort with Jeffrey Epstein.”

Fans around the sports world have mixed reactions about the incident. Some are tired of Rodgers’ conspiracy, while others love the chaos that has ensued, or even support Rodgers’ statement.

AARON RODGERS IS A PATRIOT
JIMMY KIMMEL IS A CREEP

— Swig 🇺🇸 (@OldRowSwig) January 4, 2024

I love Jimmy Kimmel. As always Aaron Rodgers is a lying tool. https://t.co/ZiDZRAHhCv

— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) January 3, 2024

Regardless of what happens legally, it is likely that network executives will have a talk with McAfee and Rodgers about avoiding the topic, another ESPN source told Front Office Sports.

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