Replace March 9: Stephen A. Smith says there’s no beef between him and fellow ESPN speaking head Pat McAfee.
“There is no such thing as a dispute by any means. Pat McAfee is my teammate. Pat McAfee and I work collectively on ESPN,” Smith stated. “There is no such thing as a banishment from First Take or every other present. He’s greater than welcome to return on First Take sooner or later and I’m gonna be greater than welcome to return on his present
“I don’t know what number of occasions I’m gonna must say this however I’m gonna do this yet one more time, not simply counting on an announcement or a quote that I issued via ESPN. However I’m going to look into the cameras and say this to you, nationally and globally: I root for my teammates. I root for my colleagues. I don’t root towards anyone. The folks on the market who do which might be idiots. A rising tide lifts all boats.”
ESPN speaking heads Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith just lately engaged in an explosive telephone name over inventive variations that escalated to the purpose the place the previous Indianapolis Colts punter known as the latter a “motherf*cker,” in keeping with a New York Put up unique.
The argument got here from a venture that Smith can be doing on ESPN sooner or later and is government producing the section via his personal manufacturing firm, the Put up reported. After the spat, Smith banned McAfee from showing on his present, First Take sooner or later, in keeping with the report.
McAfee beforehand would seem each Tuesday throughout soccer season to supply commentary however stated he was not conscious of a ban, in keeping with the Put up. Smith acknowledged there by no means was one within the first place, per the story.
Either side indicated that their beef had been resolved, the Put up reported.
Each McAfee and Smith have been profitable of their respective exhibits for ESPN, bringing in a record-high 496,000 viewers for First Take final 12 months and 298 million views throughout all platforms for The Pat McAfee Present since being produced via ESPN.
“We’re No.1 and he has completely contributed to us remaining No.1. McAfee was requested to return on every Tuesday via the Tremendous Bowl and he did simply that, kicking ass every time he got here on the air,” Smith stated in an e mail to the Put up. “If McAfee desires to be on First Take subsequent season, he can be on First Take. I like winners and McAfee has confirmed he wins — which helps ME win. I don’t know what number of occasions I’ve to inform people that he’s trail-blazed a path into a brand new period for thus many people. I’m grateful to have him as part of my crew and the ESPN Household. And I’m trying ahead to having him on for years to return. I sincerely hope that I cannot must repeat myself on this nonsense once more!”