The controversy surrounding Pat McAfee’s feud with the University of Utah continues to grow, and now one of his former ESPN colleagues is weighing in.
Former ESPN radio host Dan Le Batard was left stunned by how the situation had unfolded, particularly McAfee’s decision to turn down an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes.”
Dan Le Batard Questions Pat McAfee’s Decision To Snub ‘60 Minutes’
Speaking on “The Dan Le Batard Show,” the veteran sports media host said, “The money is what speaks here. You actually have McAfee saying yesterday, ‘I ain’t doing 60 Minutes,’ and I’m like, ‘Good God, what’s happening? What is happening here that ’60 Minutes’ is so diluted that this can all happen in 2026?’”
Before Le Batard shared this take, McAfee revealed on his own program that CBS News had reached out to him for a proposed feature/piece. He turned it down and added that he would no longer accept interview requests from the media.
“60 Minutes reached out. They wanted to do a piece… yeah, the [expletive] right,” McAfee said. “Never in a million [years]… Yeah, I’m sure that’d be fair. I’m sure that’d be a-OK. I’m sure that would go great. I would just like to let all media publications (know), I decline. Forever. Thank you.”
Why is Pat McAfee boycotting 60 Minutes and other media outlets? https://t.co/GsP2X85ffp
— The Dan Le Batard Show (@LeBatardShow) October 29, 2026
McAfee’s comments come after he expressed his displeasure with how he was treated at the University of Utah before and during ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcast of the Utah-Houston game.
He took issue with a post from one of the university’s social media accounts in which students called him “corny” and “creepy.” The university has since issued an official apology and taken down the post.
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON: PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
The ESPN personality’s frustration grew when a student questioned why the prize for the kicking challenge at Utah was lower than the amount awarded at BYU the previous week.
Dan Le Batard’s Co-Host Weighs In on McAfee’s ‘60 Minutes’ Snub
After Le Batard shared his thoughts, co-host Mike Ryan Ruiz responded, “I actually think ’60 Minutes’ might have been safe harbor for him, especially because he’s backed by (TKO Group CEO) Ari Emanuel.”
Emanuel has a close business relationship with McAfee and represents him through his talent agency, WME. He has also helped expand McAfee’s presence beyond sports media, including by securing acting opportunities for him.
TKO Group Holdings, meanwhile, owns WWE and UFC, along with Professional Bull Riders, and operates other businesses, including IMG.
DIVE IN: PFN’s Free CFB HQ — Team and Player Stats, Info, and More
Ruiz added, “Well, I think Pat just feels attacked by anybody asking him questions, clearly. I mean, he’s exposed his sensitivities that have long been wondered about. This week has removed all doubt.”
Following the controversy, McAfee made it clear that he has no plans to return to the University of Utah if ESPN’s “College GameDay” visits the campus again.
