There’s a lot of drama unfolding at ESPN. Over the last few months, the network has been involved in something or the other that has nothing to do with their work. Several people have spoken about the problematic things happening at ESPN and some have even left, citing similar reasons.

The most recent to do so is Pat McAfee. He called Norby Williamson, the executive editor and head of event and studio production at ESPN a “rat.” After his recent outburst, two NBA veterans had something to say about the new fiasco.

Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson applaud Pat McAfee for speaking out

The Pat McAfee Show is one of the most revered shows on television. However, the head man of the show believes that there are people at ESPN, trying to sabotage his show. He said, “There are some people actively trying to sabotage us from within ESPN. More specifically, I believe Norby Williamson is the guy who is attempting to sabotage our program.” However, he made it clear that he has no issue with the network as their relationship is still strong and his problem is only with Williams who is a “rat” in his opinion.

While discussing this burning topic on their show, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson sided with McAfee. Barnes said, “If you’re gonna go out. You’re gonna look in the mirror and think you’re a clown if you went out trying to protect someone else. If you’re gonna go out, you go out on your ten toes.”

Barnes recalled his own feud with ESPN because of which he had to make an exit. He said, “That was my situation with ESPN. I got politicked out over some bullsh*t that went down… It is what it is. I had a great run. I felt like my face being on that platform was beneficial for my career but you know, all good things come to an end.”

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The two veterans also discussed that McAfee doesn’t need to cater to “old school bullsh*t…politics” to keep his career afloat. This might be true, especially going by his history and the current trend in the media business. When McAfee arrived at ESPN, he was coming out of his collaboration with Barstool Sports and had a good following behind him.

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If this deal with ESPN falls out, he can always take the same route that some of the other people have taken in recent times after parting ways with ESPN and go on his own. Even Barnes and Jackson have now separated from Showtime media and are presenting their popular podcast All The Smoke under their own banner.

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