Pat McAfee Personally Offered to Cover Costs for Crew Following ESPN’s Budget Cuts

A candid story shared by Kirk Herbstreit on the Net Positive podcast offered a rare glimpse into Pat McAfee’s off-camera impact at ESPN.

Pat McAfee Personally Offered to Cover Costs for Crew Following ESPN’s Budget Cuts

Pat McAfee (Image via CNN)

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As a sportscaster, Pat McAfee is known for his loud, palpable energy presented through a unique, animated, and unconventional way of conducting his shows. But that is not all he does. What’s lesser known, however, is the role McAfee plays behind the scenes.

Beyond his bold persona and chic fashion, he’s built a quiet reputation as someone who looks out for the crew that helps make the show run smoothly. In a recent appearance on the Net Positive show hosted by comedian John Crist, long-time ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit shared an anecdote about Pat McAfee.

Amid broader budget cuts at ESPN, network executives had decided to reduce spending on certain elements of College GameDay, the show hosted by Pat McAfee. The business move slashed the wages of the behind-the-scenes crew, like the production professionals, technicians, and staff. A move Herbstreit himself had contradictions about.

As Herbstreit recalled, McAfee’s response stood out during a Zoom call. Instead of letting the cuts go unchallenged, McAfee stepped in. The two-time Pro Bowler offered to personally cover the costs that would otherwise be slashed from the budget.

And they made an announcement that they were going to cut back on this, and cut back on that…And Pat decided to say, ‘Ok, if you’re going to cut back on that, I’ll cover that, I’ll cover that, because the crew, the people who run the show, they need to have that… So he’s like, ‘You guys are going to do your budget thing, I’m taking care of the crew.’

Kirk Herbstreit reflected

Herbstreit shared that after hearing about McAfee’s gesture, ESPN executives quickly reversed course. The network ultimately decided not to let McAfee cover the expenses, instead agreeing to absorb the costs themselves.

Pat McAfee and younger sportscasters are leading reformations in the industry

As the times change, the sports industry has also seen a shift. In olden days, or even 10-15 years ago, access to the sports broadcasting industry was not easy. However, in recent years, anyone with a mic and a camera can be a part of the same. Breaking in isn’t easy, but accessibility has opened doors to newer perspectives and fresh voices.

Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee (Image via CNN)

According to longtime analyst Kirk Herbstreit, there’s a new era of empowerment for sportscasters. The new chapter puts talent as an integral part of the machine and no longer treats it as disposable.

Herbstreit, who’s been with ESPN since 1996, reflected on how the culture has historically worked: talent was always replaceable, and pushing back was rarely an option.

They don’t like it? See ya. That’s how I was raised in the company.

Herbstreit admitted that people like McAfee have changed it for the better. “Pat comes in and… doesn’t play that game,” Herbstreit said, pointing out how McAfee’s confidence and principles have shifted the dynamic with management. He doesn’t just accept decisions at face value; rather challenges them, especially when they impact others, like the production crew.

However, there’s still a long way to go. A 2020 survey by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) found that women made up just 15% of sports editors, while minorities accounted for only 12% of sports media professionals. The lack of diversity is not limited to staffing; it also extends to the coverage of sports, with under-represented groups often being marginalized or ignored.

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