• Loading stock data...
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

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

Etienne

A ‘College Football RedZone’ Is an ESPN Gold Mine—in Theory

The network would have to strike new deals with its rivals.

Smelling Salts Not Banned in the NFL, but Teams Can’t Hand Them..

Teams are banned from supplying smelling salts to their players.

More RedZones? 10 Burning Questions With ESPN’s Pitaro and NFL’s Schroeder

The execs behind the landmark ESPN-NFL deal sat down with FOS.

After Draft-Day Snub and Drama, Sanders to Start Preseason Opener

Multiple injuries mean Sanders gets the nod for the opening preseason game.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; A general overall view of the NFL Network building adjacent to SoFi Stadium.
exclusive

ESPN Taking Over NFL Network’s Lease Near SoFi Stadium

The network is picking up a little real estate in its mega-deal.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump leaves the field after participating in a meet and greet with the honorary coin toss participants including family members of the victims from the terrorist attack, members of the New Orleans Police Department, and emergency personnel before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome.
August 5, 2025

Why the NFL-ESPN Deal Is ‘Political Catnip’ for Trump

The president has a history of using media mergers for leverage.
August 5, 2025

Disney Buying NFL Network, NFL Getting 10% Stake in ESPN

The deal rewrites the playbook for pro leagues and their TV partners.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
August 4, 2025

ESPN’s Ryan Clark: Haters Are Viewers, Too

“Get them to hate what you say … enough that they’ll tune in.”
opinion
August 2, 2025

ESPN-NFL Deal Still Contends With a Wild Card: Trump’s Approval

Negotiations between the NFL and Disney have been ongoing for four years
July 31, 2025

Comcast Bets Big on Sports, but NBA Price Tag Looms Large

The NBC Sports parent company is absorbing the impacts of adding the NBA.
opinion
July 31, 2025

Could Chad Ochocinco Be ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe Replacement?

ESPN moved on from Sharpe after he settled a sexual assault lawsuit.