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The Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel beef is putting ESPN and its parent company, Disney, in an awkward position.
Earlier this week, Rodgers went viral when he implied that ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was an associate of Jeffrey Epstein and would be featured on Epstein’s list during an appearance on Pat McAfee’s show.
Kimmel responded by threatening to sue Rodgers for his accusation on ESPN’s airwaves.
As of now, it doesn’t appear that Disney, which owns both ESPN and ABC, will get involved in the feud.
According to a report by Front Office Sports, people within ESPN believe the media giant will do nothing about the Rodgers/Kimmel situation in hopes that things cool off after the football weekend. FOS’ source does say ESPN might talk to McAfee about avoiding the Kimmel topic the next time they have Rodgers on the show.
ESPN will probably do nothing unless this gets bigger. PR often lets things fade. Management, too. If they get to the football weekend without more to this story… they’ll look at that as a win,” says another ESPN source
“However, do they talk to McAfee and his team about avoiding the topic with Rodgers next week? My guess is yes.”
On Wednesday morning, McAfee opened the show to address Rodgers’ comments directed at Kimmel.
“There can be something that was meant to be a s— talk joke, that can then become something that is a very serious allegation, that then leads to a massive overnight story… I can see exactly why Jimmy Kimmel felt the way he felt, especially with his position. But I think Aaron was just trying to talk s—.”