IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Pat McAfee wants everyone to know that he feels terrible over the ESPN layoffs, and that he shouldn’t be the one to blame.
This week, ESPN laid off a slew of longtime journalists, including Karl Ravech, Ryan Clark: Cam Newton, and many more.
ESPN layoffs today, via @FOS pic.twitter.com/Ob5ptpXG0O
— Paola Boivin (@PaolaBoivin) July 21, 2026
On social media, fans blamed McAfee, who is reportedly negotiating a $60 million/year contract for the layoffs.
“It turns out that when you choose to pay Pat McAfee $60 million/year, you may have to make some budget cuts. Sad day today at the Worldwide Leader. Karl Ravech deserved better” commented one fan.
During Tuesday’s episode of the Pat McAfee show, McAfee reacted to the layoffs while live on air.
“We hate any time this happens. Obviously this is terrible. We don’t like that,” McAfee said. “But we are very honored that we are still partnered with ESPN and Disney for the good of sport and the future.”
McAfee went on to defend the program from receiving the blame over the layoffs.
“The first time we licensed the show through ESPN, one of these happened, we got blamed,” McAfee said.
“OK, OK. Thank you. I feel like you don’t fully understand budgets and where things are coming from, but I do appreciate that. This time, we’re getting blamed as well. Which I guess I can understand, but I mean, there’s billions and billions of dollars in these companies, and hard decisions have to get made. And we don’t like any of them, and we hope we’re an asset to the company going forward.”
🚨HEARTBREAKING: Pat McAfee says he’s receiving major backlash from fans on social media blaming him for ESPN’s layoffs because of his $65 million deal.
“The first time we licensed the show through ESPN, one of these happened, we got blamed”
Awful 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/YWA1DvqoXS
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) July 22, 2026