ESPN colleagues of Pat McAfee are reportedly growing frustrated with what they call “diva-like” and “unprofessional” behavior, according to Front Office Sports.
The tension comes after McAfee publicly criticized “old ESPN people” who work on producing College GameDay.
It’s 6 AM in Eugene, Oregon and Pat McAfee has had his coffee this morning. pic.twitter.com/OKhvLxvnk3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 11, 2025
The controversy arose after McAfee posted an Instagram video on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. In it, he referenced negative social media reactions to his presence on College GameDay and stated that there are people who hate him the most.
He said, “Old whites and the old ESPN people over the last like three years have really hated me. That’s who all the producers are of GameDay too. So now — it’s been a fun run. College football is great. OK, cheers. Have a great day.”
Some ESPN producers reportedly tired of Pat McAfee’s ‘diva’ behavior https://t.co/aKsqP4loPV pic.twitter.com/YmMhtrFTCS
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 24, 2025
Sources inside ESPN told Front Office Sports that many colleagues view McAfee’s public complaints as “juvenile, unprofessional and bad for business.” One source suggested he should have addressed any issues directly with producers instead of “publicly ripping people who can’t go on TV to defend themselves.”
His colleagues described their frustration more bluntly. One added that he was “not a victim” and needed to handle conflicts privately, while another referred to him as an “entitled diva.”
McAfee’s role at ESPN remains secure. Top executives, including ESPN’s president of content Burke Magnus, chairman Jimmy Pitaro, and Disney CEO Bob Iger, have kept supporting his standing. Magnus issued a statement calling McAfee a “creative force,” showing support from the company’s highest levels.
Pat McAfee’s History of Clashes With ESPN Leadership and Spreading Rumors
This is not McAfee’s first public clash with ESPN leadership. In early 2024, he accused then-executive Norby Williamson of trying to “sabotage” his show and called him a “rat.” Williamson, a longtime ESPN veteran, left the company three months later.
In March 2024, the New York Post reported that McAfee had a heated phone call with ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith regarding a creative project. During the call, McAfee reportedly called Smith a “motherf***er.” Smith denied there was a rift but did not deny that the heated exchange occurred.
In February 2025, McAfee was criticized for discussing a false internet rumor about University of Mississippi freshman Mary Kate Cornett on his ESPN show. While McAfee did not name Cornett, his discussion turned up a baseless story that alleged she had an affair with her boyfriend’s father.
She was forced to switch to online classes and move into emergency campus housing. Her phone number was leaked online, leading to a barrage of vile and threatening messages.
Audience reactions to McAfee have been mixed over time. A 2023 Athletic poll of more than 3,000 respondents found that nearly 49 percent disapproved of him on College GameDay. Some viewers, particularly traditional college football fans, feel McAfee’s brash and loud persona does not fit the established “classy” tone of College GameDay.
