You’d be hard pressed to find an NFL insider with more scoops than Adam Schefter, but that hasn’t mattered for Pat McAfee and his show.
According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, Schefter was “essentially banned” from “The Pat McAfee Show” back in March after the insider failed to make an appearance on the show at McAfee’s request.
The apparent dispute arose at the start of NFL free agency when McAfee wanted Schefter to come on the show, but the latter was busy with a free agency special that was airing on ESPN2.
Schefter hasn’t been seen on the former All-Pro punter’s show since, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has instead made numerous appearances, including one as the guest host.
But the apparent squabble seems to have reached its end, as Marchand reported that Schefter is expected to appear on Thursday’s “Pat McAfee Show,” where viewers could find out furtther details of Schefter possibly having been “banished” from the show for the past several months.
ESPN president of content Burke Magnus didn’t seem too concerned about the rumored feud as he spoke on McAfee’s successes and relationship with the rest of the network.
“Pat and his show are thriving on ESPN,” the statement reads, per Marchand. “We are very pleased with the partnership.”
Magnus also downplayed the idea that McAfee banned Schefter.
“In the nearly three years since Pat has brought his show to our platforms, we’ve continuously seen those out there that are seemingly obsessed with wanting to see Pat fail on ESPN,” he said. “This rumor is just the latest example of that. Pat and his show continue to break the mold and reach new audiences, and we look forward to the continued success together.”