"Far too many were eager to mock a staged wrestling angle, a promotional appearance, or a calculated branding move that they overlooked what was actually happening."
"We're excited because we feel this is a step forward in using technology to change the way people think about radio. This is really the big data moment for radio, at least as we see it."
"The reality is that there usually has to be a precedent set before somebody is in a position to capitalize off of that, and I'm certainly positioned to capitalize off of that. Make no mistake. I will be."
"The story is that ESPN has completely changed its philosophy. For decades, ESPN sold the network. It sold SportsCenter. It sold highlights. Now it sells personalities."
"That is not an indictment of Pat [McAfee]. It's not an indictment of Disney. It's the reality of the relationship that exists between the people who pay and the people who get paid."
"His existing arrangement includes a licensing agreement for The Pat McAfee Show that pays over $17 million per year — plus separate contracts for College GameDay and other ESPN contributions."
"The program, titled State of Sports, aired May 27 and featured McAfee conducting commissioner-level interviews. On ESPN alone, the two-hour special drew just 278,000 viewers."
"If Netflix's live arrangement with The Breakfast Club succeeds the way its podcast partnership has, the streaming giant will almost certainly pursue additional opportunities in the space."
"ESPN now has a decision to make. Lean all the way in and risk alienating part of its audience. Or show restraint—and protect the integrity of the platform that made this partnership valuable in the first place."
"Far too many were eager to mock a staged wrestling angle, a promotional appearance, or a calculated branding move that they overlooked what was actually happening."
"We're excited because we feel this is a step forward in using technology to change the way people think about radio. This is really the big data moment for radio, at least as we see it."
"A.I. does not live in local markets, play games at your remotes, connect with listeners, or comprehend what culture you have built inside your cluster."