Pat McAfee did not apologize for his comments directed at ESPN executive Norby Williamson on Monday and instead expressed regret for dragging another high-level official, Burke Magnus, into the drama.
McAfee said last week that Williamson, senior executive vice president of studio and event production, was among those trying to “sabotage” his show. The comments generated immense scrutiny across the show, and came just hours after Aaron Rodgers created a stir with his comments about Jimmy Kimmel.
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ESPN announcer Pat McAfee during the Georgia Bulldogs’ game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Broadcasting from NRG Stadium in Houston before the college football national championship, McAfee joked that he didn’t know “nobody was going to listen to it” because the commentary was on the YouTube and ESPN+ show and not the linear version.
“And the only thing that really discourages me about all of this is that there’s a guy we really like, a guy we watched a game with in his suite, Burke Magnus, who is currently the new head of ESPN right below (president Jimmy Pitaro ) – I guess they made him look bad for what I did and how I did it. I would like everyone to know that we love Burke Magnus… We also love Jimmy Pitaro. Love (Disney CEO). ) Bob Iger,” said .
“But there’s a big transitional era here between the old and the new. And the old guys don’t like what the new guys do. So there will certainly be a couple of those, but we’re very grateful.”
Pat McAfee is seen on the field before the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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He thanked the team that was on “The Pat McAfee Show” and said he was grateful to ESPN and what the company has done for the show.
The former Indianapolis Colts punter doubled down on his comments about Williamson.
“Now there are certainly people we don’t like. Certainly. And they don’t like us,” he said. “That’s how it’s going to be. And I don’t take back anything I said about that person. But I think people need to remember the overall story about us and ESPN (clasps hands)… We’re strong, baby.
“We all understand what the future is going to be like. There are some old hags who potentially don’t understand it, but we will move towards that.”
ESPN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The company addressed McAfee’s comments last week.
Norby Williamson speaks during the 26th Annual Sports Emmy Awards – Press Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. (Jemal Condesa/WireImage)
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“No one is more committed and invested in the success of ESPN than Norby Williamson,” ESPN told USA Today. “At the same time, we are excited about the cross-platform success we have seen with ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on ESPN. We will handle this matter internally and will have no further comment.”
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