ESPN is currently facing internal discord, as tensions rise over reports suggesting network executives are discontent with Pat McAfee’s behavior, labeling him an “entitled diva.”

On Tuesday, McAfee alluded to renewed friction with ESPN’s senior “old, white” management, echoing previous accusations from 2024 where he claimed a former executive attempted to undermine his show.

In a recent Instagram video, McAfee expressed that those who “despise” him most at this point in his career are “old white people and old ESPN people.”

Reacting to McAfee’s remarks, a source informed Front Office Sports, saying, “This was completely unnecessary. It’s time to mature and engage with these individuals to improve the situation. You’re not a victim.”

They added, “Everyone is going above and beyond to place you in a favorable position, and these same individuals are motivated by your success.”

ESPN executives are reportedly growing frustrated with ‘entitled diva’ Pat McAfee

McAfee hinted at renewed tensions with ‘old, white’ ESPN executives in a video this week

Meanwhile, another source told the outlet that McAfee acts like an ‘entitled diva’.  

Despite this, McAfee did seemingly receive a vote of support from ESPN president Burke Magnus, who hailed the ‘enormous’ impact that the host has had. 

Speaking to FOS, he said: ‘Pat is a creative force. He’s pushed hard to advance College GameDay and his impact has been enormous.

‘Since he joined ESPN, GameDay – as well as his own daily show – have experienced unprecedented success’.

As he continued, Magnus did admit that McAfee’s approach and attitude runs the risk of causing ‘friction’ among the team. 

‘Pat is also an innovator, and when you have someone who disrupts the status quo, it’s not surprising when there’s friction and disagreement as a result,’ he continued.

‘We will continue to encourage and support Pat and the entire GameDay cast and crew as together they break new ground on one of ESPN’s most important franchises.’ 

Magnus has been a long-term advocate for McAfee and, last month, insisted that he couldn’t imagine ESPN without McAfee being a part of it. 

McAfee previously accused one former executive of trying to sabotage his show back in 2024

ESPN’s content president, Burke Magnus, has admitted things are complicated with McAfee

Ex-NFL player McAfee, 38, signed an $85million deal with ESPN in 2023 and licenses his hugely popular ‘Pat McAfee Show’ to the network. He also appears on GameDay every Saturday morning. 

His relationship with ESPN bosses has been far from plain sailing and he even once accused former ESPN executive Norby Williamson of trying to sabotage his show in January 2024.

After Aaron Rodgers appeared to suggest Jimmy Kimmel would be named as one of Jeffrey Epstein‘s associates during one of his then-weekly Tuesday appearances in January 2024, McAfee let rip at Williamson for allegedly attempting to bring down his show.

Williamson left ESPN in April 2024 but that still didn’t prevent McAfee from taking aim at some executives during his post on Instagram earlier this week.

‘I just got done a little morning workout. It’s nice to read those comments,’ he said in the video.

‘I’d like to let all you old f***s know, I hate you too. Never got along with that class of people. Teachers, principals, you name it. Since I [was] a kid, always hated me. It’s kind of a part of life now.

‘If you think about old white people and old ESPN people, those are really the people that hate me the most at this stage of life.

‘Now granted, there’s some other groups that certainly have threatened my life on a pretty regular basis, I’d say they hate me too. 

McAfee previously singled out exec Norby Williamson, accusing him of leaking information

‘But throughout the entirety, old whites and the old ESPN people over the last like three years have really hated me. That’s who all the producers are of GameDay too.

‘So now – it’s been a fun run. College football is great. OK, cheers. Have a great day.’

Fellow ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith was forced to deny that there is animosity between him and McAfee last year.

A report from the New York Post indicated that the pair had an explosive phone call – with McAfee calling his colleague a ‘motherf***er’ and Smith banning the former punter from ‘First Take’.

On his podcast, The Stephen. A Smith Show, the host quickly responded to the story – denying the rift; but not expressly denying the phone call took place.