It\u2019s no secret that Pat McAfee plays by a different set of rules than most ESPN talent.<\/p>\n
In fact, according to Sage Steele, when it comes to the former All-Pro punter\u2019s role at the network, the Worldwide Leader is effectively helpless.<\/p>\n
Appearing on Fearless with Jason Whitlock<\/a>, Steele discussed the fallout from McAfee interviewing President Donald Trump<\/a> on the Veterans Day episode of his eponymous daily show. But when asked whether ESPN would be able to exercise more control over the West Virginia product if he operated out of Bristol, the ex-SportsCenter anchor said that it\u2019s already become clear how much leverage McAfee possesses over her former employer.<\/p>\n Specifically, Steele noted the former Indianapolis Colt punter not facing any punishment after referring to now-former ESPN executive Norby Williamson<\/a> as a \u201crat\u201d and Williamson then leaving the network a few months later. That was all the evidence the 52-year-old needed to know the nature of the Disney company\u2019s relationship with McAfee, who has been licensing his daily show to ESPN since 2023.<\/p>\n \u201cFor that to happen and there be no \u2014 whether everybody agrees or not \u2014 when you rip an executive, name drop and call him names and nothing happens, you know that you have full control,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Steele proceeded to layout a hypothetical scenario in which McAfee asked for permission to interview Trump and was told no, laughing off such a possibility. She also noted the College GameDay star\u2019s commentary regarding Disney\u2019s ongoing carriage negotiations with YouTube TV<\/a> as further evidence that he can\u2019t be tamed by the network.<\/p>\n \u201cThat man has no rules,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I think it\u2019s hysterical because I\u2019m picturing being a fly on the wall watching the executives meltdown as this interview happened yesterday. But they could not tell him no.\u201d<\/p>\n