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OutKick’s Dan Dakich spent time on his Don’t @ Me show talking about former Indianapolis Colts punter and current media megastar Pat McAfee. The conversation started after Dakich noted ESPN executives recently talking about wanting to target younger viewers. Dakich was making the point that McAfee has helped the network in that regard. That turned into Dakich talking about how McAfee’s colleagues at ESPN all aren’t necessarily on board the McAfee train.
“McAfee’s the enemy at ESPN,” Dakich said. “Not among [ESPN Chairman Jimmy] Pitaro and [ESPN President, Content] Burke Magnus and the rest of the suits. No, no, no, no. He is the enemy of the ESPNers that are African American that are siding with Stephen A. Smith. True story. I’ve been told that by him. He knows that. We all know that…He’s told me he is the enemy of most of the talent.
“He is. He’s making more money. Pat’s more popular. He’s looser. Of course he’s the enemy.”
Dakich went on to talk about a recent post on X from McAfee where he was soliciting suggestions to get a former NBA player as an analyst for his show. McAfee said he was having difficulty booking ESPN NBA talent, which surprised him since he figured his partnership with the network would net him plenty of options.
He then talked about something Pitaro was recently asked in an interview about what keeps him up at night. Pitaro said it was the “challenge of resonating with younger viewers distracted by Netflix and social media.”
Dakich later added, “See, look, guys sitting there yelling at each other, like Stephen A. Smith and a pack of idiots do, doesn’t really resonate.” He added more from Pitaro who said, “ESPN research shows that Pat McAfee’s impact on younger viewers has been staggering and very helpful to the overall brand.”
