• Loading stock data...
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

Pat McAfee Rips NFL ‘Middle Management,’ Says Show Won’t Be at Green Bay Draft

After Pat McAfee encountered obstacles airing his show from the NFL Combine, he will not be taking it on the road for the draft in Green Bay. 

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Pat McAfee says he will not be taking his show on the road for the NFL Draft after being treated with what he says was insufficient respect by “middle managers” at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week. 

Speaking on his eponymous show—which is simulcast on YouTube and ESPN—on Monday, McAfee said that the show will not be making the voyage to Green Bay for the draft, instead broadcasting from its “Thunderdome” headquarters in Indianapolis. 

“The NFL’s making it very easy for us to do stuff,” McAfee began, speaking sarcastically. “It’s really very kind of them. It’s very cool. I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to showcase your shit.” 

Cohost A.J. Hawk chimed in, asking, “No red tape? No hoops to jump through?”

“No, middle management’s doing exactly what they don’t normally do. They’re making it easy. It’s awesome. Those people matter for sure. You guys are really good at your jobs! Thank God they’re there. Without them, could you imagine? Nobody would watch the NFL if it wasn’t for these people being there.”

McAfee proceeded to play a slideshow of him measuring out different locations around Lucas Oil Stadium to determine whether there was enough space for his show’s set, seemingly implying that the logistics of where his team would broadcast from were not sufficiently addressed beforehand.  

He continued to deadpan to the middle managers who’d drawn his ire. “We were invited by you guys to do this—by people above you. Thank you so much for making everything so easy.” 

McAfee has never been one to let perceived disrespect quietly slide by, and the revenge for these apparent inconveniences is that the former Colts punter and his crew will do their NFL Draft show remotely instead of on-site. 

McAfee’s show was live from the draft in Detroit last year. There would’ve been natural excitement for it to be in Green Bay because of its general resonance with football fans, compounded with the fact that Hawk is the Packers’ all-time leading tackler. 

While McAfee was chiding the league’s middle managers, it’s relevant to note that he’s generally had a good relationship with the league over the years. This past season, he joined NFL Network’s Sunday GameDay Morning pregame show weekly as an analyst beginning in late September. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.

Coach Prime Enters Year 3 at Colorado With New Challenges

The Buffaloes have sold out their season tickets yet again.

As CFB Programs Add Corporate Field Logos, Are Jersey Patches Next?

Texas is adding a sponsor’s logo to its football field this season.

NFL Preseason Sees 17% Jump in TV Ratings, Best Since 2018

Average audiences for the exhibition games increase sharply from last year.
exclusive

Shannon Sharpe Adds James Harrison, Joe Haden Show to Media Empire

Sharpe is back to business after settling a multimillion-dollar lawsuit this summer.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

The Next Chapter in the Network Battle for College Football Dominance

Saturday’s Texas–Ohio State matchup is the next chapter.
exclusive
August 27, 2025

Cam Newton to Expand ESPN ‘First Take’ Role After Shannon Sharpe Exit

The former NFL MVP will take on a bigger role on “First Take.”
exclusive
August 27, 2025

Ryen Russillo Leaving Ringer, Dave Portnoy Expected to Invest in New Business

Russillo has one of the world’s most popular sports podcasts.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 26, 2025

Annual Football Season Tradition: A High-Stakes Media Blackout Fight

The ongoing Fox–YouTube TV dispute marks an annual media tradition.
August 26, 2025

6 Burning Questions About Reimagined MLB Rights Deals

MLB’s rights are changing significantly, but questions still remain.
exclusive
August 25, 2025

Ohio State Bars Dave Portnoy From Stadium in Fox Debut

Portnoy will appear on “Big Noon Kickoff” but not inside the stadium.
August 25, 2025

YouTube TV, Fox Standoff Puts CFB Viewers in Jeopardy

Subscribers could find themselves without access to marquee matchups.