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Will ESPN suspend Pat McAfee? Latest updates after host’s controversial comments about Caitlin Clark

Theo

Pat McAfee apologized for his controversial comments toward Caitlin Clark, calling her a “white bitch.” It seems it took him less than 12 hours to reaffirm his original comments.

Braun Strowman, a WWE fighter, stepped into the ring and McAfee called him a “big son of abs.” WWE even printed a T-shirt of Strowman that read “One Big SOB.” During WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” on Monday, McAfee added to his slogan: “That’s a big white son of abs.”

The addition of the word “white” to a slogan so memorable that it was printed on a T-shirt the same day McAfee made waves with his controversial Clark moments seemed to be a clear reference to his comments that forced him to apologize.

How will ESPN handle the controversial TV host’s recent comments? Here’s what you need to know.

MORE: What did Pat McAfee say about Caitlin Clark?

Will ESPN suspend Pat McAfee?

ESPN has not yet announced how the network will deal with the host of “The Pat McAfee Show.” ESPN has not made any public statement on the controversial comments made by the polarizing McAfee.

The network licenses McAfee’s show on its channel, so ESPN could punish McAfee by taking his show off the air, but he could continue to air it on his YouTube channel.

What did Pat McAfee say about Caitlin Clark?

McAfee had spoken about how Clark’s rookie season boosted the WNBA and called her a superstar, then said the media should stop labeling the success as a product of “that rookie class.”

“No, just call it what it is,” McAfee said. “There’s a white b— for the Indiana team who’s a superstar.”

He went on to discuss narratives that Clark’s popularity was due to her race, saying, “That’s a load of bullshit—.”

“Is there a chance that people just like watching her play basketball because she’s so engaging? What she did, what she stood for, how she accomplished what she wanted to accomplish? Maybe,” McAfee said.

MORE: Monica McNutt criticizes Stephen A. Smith’s WNBA coverage

Apology from Pat McAfee

McAfee’s mention of Clark during this period drew heavy criticism in the sports world, and some expected a response from ESPN. However, the network remained silent while McAfee issued an apology later in the day.

He wrote on X he shouldn’t have used “white sh–” to describe Clark, regardless of context, even if race was a driving factor in the discussion.

“I have way too much respect for her and women to put something like that out there,” McAfee said on X. “I meant it as a compliment, just like the whole segment, but a lot of people are saying it certainly wasn’t. That’s 100 percent on me and I apologize for that… I sent Caitlin an apology as well.”

“Everything else I said… are still allllllll facts.”

McAfee also apologized on his show on Tuesday, saying he had sent an apology to Clark through Fever’s PR team.

The Fever are ready to put this moment behind them.

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