Dan Dakich: Pat McAfee ‘Told Me He’s the Enemy of Most of the Talent at ESPN’

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OutKick’s Dan Dakich spent time on his Not @ Me show talking about former Indianapolis Colts player and current media megastar Pat McAfee. The conversation started after Dakich noted that ESPN executives recently talked about wanting to target younger viewers. Dakich pointed out that McAfee has helped the network in that regard. It led to Dakich talking about how McAfee’s colleagues at ESPN aren’t necessarily all on board the McAfee train.

“McAfee is 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’s the enemy of the ESPNs who are African-American, who stand on Stephen A. Smith’s side. I have been told by him. We all know that he is the enemy of most talent.

“He is. He makes more money. Pat is more popular. He’s looser. Of course he’s the enemy.”

Dakich went on to talk about a recent post on X by McAfee requesting proposals to bring a former NBA player on as an analyst on his show. McAfee said he had a hard time booking ESPN NBA talent, which surprised him since he figured his partnership with the network would give him plenty of opportunities.

He then talked about something Pitaro was recently asked in an interview about what keeps him awake at night. Pitaro said it was “the challenge of resonating with younger viewers who were distracted by Netflix and social media.”

Dakich later added, “Look, look, guys sitting there yelling at each other like Stephen A. Smith and a bunch 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.”