Pat McAfee, the boisterous host of the wildly popular “Pat McAfee Show,” recently claimed he’s unable to book ESPN’s NBA talent for appearances on his show. While McAfee insists he’s been “blocked” from bringing in names like Stephen A. Smith, sources familiar with the situation paint a different picture.
Multiple sources within ESPN confirmed that McAfee can, in fact, book their talent. “There is no official policy that prevents McAfee from booking ESPN talent,” one source said, adding that “it’s more a matter of logistics and scheduling.”
The discrepancy appears to stem from McAfee’s desire for specific guests at specific times. “Pat wants certain names, like Stephen A., on the show during the week,” explained a source close to the situation. “But the logistics of making that happen with ESPN’s busy schedules can be difficult.”
Another factor may be McAfee’s preference for booking guests directly, rather than going through ESPN’s talent department. “Pat likes to do things his way,” one source said. “He’s used to being in control. But sometimes that clashes with ESPN’s need to manage its talent pool.”
Ultimately, the issue seems to be a matter of communication and compromise. While McAfee might face some challenges in booking certain ESPN personalities, it’s clear he’s not entirely “blocked” from doing so. As both McAfee and ESPN continue to grow, finding a more collaborative approach to talent sharing might be the key to building a successful partnership.
