ESPN's Pat McAfee has a knack for getting some of the biggest names in sports on his show. But tonight he'll be putting on a special broadcast with some of the true movers and shakers of American sports.
On Wednesday afternoon, McAfee revealed that ESPN offered him a primetime slot since the New York Knicks clinched the NBA Finals so early in lieu of their scheduled programming for Games 5-7. So for tonight's primetime show, he's going to be bringing on six key commissioners of major sports leagues in the United States:
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver
- MLB commissioner Rob Manfred
- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman
- MLS commissioner Don Garber
- UFC president Dana White
- WNBA commissioner CAthy Engelbert
- Other "surprise guests"
"Hey.. Since the Knicks swept the Cavs, there are a bunch of Primetime spots open. If you’d like to do something please let us know.' 72ish hours later… Our PRIMETIME State of Sports where we will ask every active league commissioner about the good, the bad, and the future," McAfee wrote on X.
A Missing Face
The one key figure that was missing from the lineup is NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Some fans wondered if he's going to be among the surprise guests or if McAfee whiffed on getting the most powerful figure in America's biggest sport.
"NFL is the only one we care about and Roger isn’t there," one fan complained in the comments.
"Funny to see Roger Goodell isn't on, maybe too soon after having him with Greenie on the NFL Draft, but also NFL Network is part of ESPN, so they could have him on if Pat wanted them to," wrote another.
"NFL being the rich auntie that refuses to show up for dinner but sends the expensive gift basket and condolences," a third joked.
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Other fans complained that McAfee is only going to ask softball questions that avoid some of the real, serious issues that leagues are facing.
But those are questions that no journalist can get the answers they're looking for out of. Simply having that many league commissioners on one show in such a short span of time is supposed to be the draw.
We'll find out in a few hours if it works.
