McAfee is a shallow, bullying, click-baiting, cartoonish ***hole. He also appeals to ESPN’s prime age (18-29) and gender (male) target demo.
There’s a reason Disney axed a bunch of talent and used the salary savings to pay this thug. Too many people love his act. It says a lot about our culture--none of it good.
Whoever earlier in this thread bemoaned Gary Cavalli’s (accurate) political point totally misses it. McAfee idolizes Aaron Rodgers. He provides him, and others, a platform for conspiracies, arguments and lies. The sports talk is just the sugarcoating.
Well played, Barry. When McPhee showed up on Gameday, I exited viewership as long as he is there. You describe the circumstances of the hire perfectly, demographic thug. Strange things are going on with ESPN, have you watched Around the Horn lately - several new faces. Impermanence. Charlie
I hadn’t watched any of their stuff for months but with NFL season in full swing I am there more. And yes, there’s an edge to their content that wasn’t there before. I hate it.
Amen Barry. If McAfee is now ESPN's poster child for the future... they are lost. The guy sounds like a WWF announcer (was he?). He's also a laugh as he thinks he was the greatest punter of all time and I hade forgotten he even played for the Colts... he was a bit player. Anyone who buys his prominence as a football star never heard of Ray Guy or Reggie Roby.
That is precisely correct. The more we learn about the "vaccine", the more shameful our actions towards small businesses, school children and nursing home elderly. Shameful.
But, Rogers was too much of a coward to come right out and say, a) “I’m not getting the jab”, or b) “none of your gawd damn business. Ever heard of medical privacy?”
Well written - completely agree with you on almost everything and you wrote it well.
The area where I may disagree is stating Rodgers is conveying conspiracies. What conspiracies? The Covid "vaccine"? As time goes on the Covid "vaccine" skeptics are proven more and more right on this issue. That's a fact, not a "conspiracy". Maybe Rodgers is involved in other "conspiracies", I don't know, but would be interested in learning.
Nothing at all to worry about. You consistently write insightful, interesting posts. Everyone's entitled to their opinions...would love to see this board stick to sports or sports related topics, but in our society today that's almost impossible. Keep posting!
I knew I could count on you to address this John. Thank you!!
What really hit hard with the initial Corso comment was that we had a great relationship with the Gameday Show up until then. Wave the Flag is at like 293 straight shows. They've done special segments on it and Tom Pounds (awesome guy in need of an article from you by the way). Then they finally visited Pullman in 2018 and I don't think we disappointed with our turnout. We felt a huge tie with the show...true respect.
Then out of nowhere when we're already down we get that comment? Of course we're going to say something. And we respectfully did. "Cougs Versus Everybody" is alive and well in Pullman because it feels so real and reactions like Gameday's are the gut punch to prove it.
Then McAffee comes in to finish us off? Thanks tough guy. Come visit Pullman and we'll find another canal for you to swim in after a few at the Coug.
Awesome comments Bruce! Man you just put into words what so many of us feel right now! I am a BEAV and have always appreciated WSU and Cougar Nation!! We are in lock step with you!!!
Thanks Kent! The one good thing to come out of all this at this point is the unity with OSU. They say misery loves company, but in this case it sure feels more like a good friend to get through tough times with. Go Cougs and Beavs!!
On that Gameday they were overwhelmed by the Cougar response, I’ve rewatched it, Corso, Herbstreit and the rest were effusive in their praise for WSU, Pullman and the Cougar fans.
They reference Ole Crimson multiple times, it’s interesting how the presence of a bully can cause decent people to go along with the bullying. Go Cougs, Cougs (and Beavs) against everyone!
McAfee is just another step in the transition of college football from a wholesome, respectable, and exciting game into the 2023 imitation of World Wrestling.
Well done John. Too much noise and clowning around on "Game Day" for my taste. All this noise is to drive more viewership just like the overblown coverage of Colorado and Coach Prime.
Its not viewership. Its social media attention. Somehow those clicks and retweets are replacing value. I actually used to spend 3 hours watching watching Game Day but I don't ever turn it on nor even watch highlights. There is ZERO value.
Much better to take the time and read Canzano and all those who comment here.
Agreed. Although ESPN and Fox still want to drive more eyes to their programming. You're right, it's more important now to be controvesial than to provide meaningful content
Great work, as usual John. You make the mistake of assuming the ESPN personalities even know the term "land grant university." McAfee's antics are juvenile and have degraded the quality of College GameDay.
The only two things I know about McAfee are that he was a kicker and that the guy wears sleeveless shirts as if he has a gun show to showcase instead of a dad bod that needs to lay off the tanning bed. Other than that: free speech I guess. Guy gets clicks and that’s what this has all boiled down to sadly
88 year old Lee Corso is also a clown. He belongs in the White House, and McAfee too, is a clown. Given his typical dress, he belongs on the Democrat side of the Senate, along with the clown from Pennsylvania, wouldn’t you agree?
typical dumbass comment. Lee Corso is a very respected, well liked elderly gentleman. It is not his fault he had a couple strokes...he's loved and so ESPN trots him out there still, and lets Herbie cover for his drawbacks...Personally I think they should have gently retired Lee last year...but I don't sit in the production truck.
Thankfully neither do asshats like you and Gary Cavalli either.
actually if that was meant as some kind of joke, perhaps it is YOU that needs help...your sense of humor lacks humor. Any time you have to "explain" that your so called joke was a joke...it isn't or wasn't, funny. and if you didn't know it, sarcasm/sarcastic humor does not come over the internet well.
Isn’t it sad that a comment among those with highest number of “likes” blatantly injected politics into the discussion? I merely brought some balance to the discussion. I agree with others who state there are clowns, many clowns, on both sides of the aisle.
Reagan and the 1980’s. The GOP took a hard-Right turn, and lost the “middle”. My home state of Washington was a swing state before then. BTW politics, like sports, are part of life. This blog is about life - not only sports. That is why I enjoy it.
Happened way before that at Stanford. Cavalli is the former sports information director and was promoted to either assistant or associate athletic director.
Yes, I was aware of GC’s “Dark Past” (Humor intended). Stanford still has the Hoover Institution & Condi Rice - not exactly a hotbed of anarchy. The people in charge are still relatively conservative.
I respect your argument, ironman, and will politely “agree to disagree”. I will, in your words “take my pick”. I would hope that EVERY school would aspire to be the University of Planned Parenthood.
I will take your kind suggestion and drop politics - “crap” or otherwise - after this post. The GOP in Washington State went hard right in the 80’s, NOT Reagan, and 1980 was the last time they won the Governor’s race here. 1994 was the last time the GOP won a Senate race. WA was very much a swing state prior to 1980. Those are facts. To argue a point is one thing, to bicker is another. I try to add to a discussion without getting personal. I respect every opinion, and try to agree or disagree respectfully. I did not start the political firestorm in the comments today - I have merely commented on them. Best to you.
Bill, I appreciate your response. I became very frustrated with the political turn this thread took - really ruins the atmosphere as far as I'm concerned.
I'm from the PNW and understand what happened in Oregon and Washington since the '80's. Both shifted and today are far left states. There are other examples across the country of states that used to be swing states that are now far right and far left - California, Tennessee, West Virginia, Texas, and many, many more. All these states - total blue and ruby red are microcosms of our polarized society today. That's exactly why I prefer this sports board stay exactly that - a sports board. You cannot win trying to change peoples' political position with a post on social media sites - it's a fool's errand and always - 100% of the time - creates animosity that devolves into a cesspool.
I've always loved College Game Day, but as of last week I'll not watch again. Sad, really. McAfee ruins Saturday for me with his obnoxious behavior and loud contemptuous comments. Done.
The sad thing is, I think, is that this isn't an act, some show that McAfee is putting on for the sake of ratings; it's just who he is. Which is to say, a bully, but not the sadistic sort. No, just your typical run-of-the-mill, insecure, self-hating bully who picks on the kids smaller than him, because he can't handle the fact that nobody really likes him. Sure, he's "popular." He's got "friends." But those friends are either sycophants who will turn on him the moment he shows weakness, or people that coulnd't care less about him, except as a source of amusement. And deep down inside, McAfee knows that none of those people are laughing *with* him; they're laughing *at* him. He's a joke, and it's obvious in how he talks, how he carries himself, how he presents himself to the world.
He tries to build himself up to be... something. To pretend like he's more than you. But he isn't, and he can't be. He doesn't know how. So instead, he attacks whoever he thinks can't defend themselves, and then he runs off crying when he winds up punched in the nose. Or worse, ignored.
John. I know that this is not your objective but your drumbeat of articles on the demise of PAC 12 underscores (at least to me) how dishonorable the University of Oregon and others have acted. You've been objective and fair as you can be unlike others like the McAfees of the world who are biased and driven by other forces. We can't ask for anything more than the continued uncovering of the motivations by the decision makers that led us to where we are. Thank you for keeping the spotlight on this and on the facts. Such as why do the Presidents of the Universities that have left insist on fighting for every last dollar, knowing how important these funds are to OSU and WSU if they are every to rebuild the PAC and keep their athletic departments afloat? This needs to be called out for what it is....which is Greed upon Greed.
Chip, OSU, and WSU got screwed. But it was due to a decade-plus of Pac-12 leaders, including OSU and WSU 'leaders' making terrible business decisions along with college sports being fully capitalized.
Oregon made the correct decision for Oregon. The only decision in this day and age that made financial sense.
IMO, OSU, and WSU should be headed to the B12 but I don't write media checks.
There is no reason for anyone, let alone an ESPN talking head, to pile on.
except, I don't think it makes sense financially, when you look at the details of the Apple offer, which I understand, Phil Knight liked. When you factor in the travel caused in disruptions in student athletes lives, which is difficult to put a cost on, I am not sure they gave the Apple deal enough consideration and I am not sure how much back-and-forth the Pac 12 presidents had with Apple. In listening to the testimony in the Oregon legislature, it appeared the Oregon departure was very sudden, and was without warning. I think Oregon holds a higher level of responsibility towards its neighboring school and the rest of the Pac 12 schools, in that had they decided to go forward with the Apple deal everyone would've been held together it would have been an investment that could have paid off down the road had Oregon believed the Pac 12 was worth saving, which I believe it was.
Worth saving? YES! But the market said, NO! And when you capitalize anything you are at the mercy of the market.
Oregon is most definitely not the reason the Pac-12 broke up. In both football and basketball, Oregon was the Pac-12's heavy lifter nationally.
Apple, with all the money in the world, lowballed the Pac-12. Come 2031, Oregon will be a full B1G member and share in a new media deal that will have a streaming component but will also have a heavy linear component.
Oregon was supposed to pass on the B1G opportunity for the risk associated with going 100% with streaming in 2024. The travel calculus was figured into Oregon's decision-making.
Oregon was not going to martyr itself to save the Pac-9. To do so would have been an absurd business decision.
University of Oregon is like a group of people in society who sell their bodies for money.. Starts with a P. You can shake it any way you want but that is what happened.
The Apple deal would have killed exposure and recruiting, which is the lifeblood of any program. The combination of significantly lower guaranteed money and lack of exposure caused Oregon to have only one choice that made business sense. That’s it. It’s simple really, but of course it’s very sad that the conference imploded. I hate it. But I understand why the Ducks and Huskies made the decision to leave.
Whether it was fiscally responsible will not be known for some time. As we've discussed at length is the travel requirements and disruptions to student athletes really worth it? How much influence did John Karl Scholz have in all of this? He was leading Wisconsin and was advocating for Big10 expansion westward when USC and UCLA left. USC's Carol Folt is an Easterner. Scholz is from the Midwest. Whose best interests were they representing?. Neither probably care about the traditions they broke and the history of the PAC I feel the West Coast schools are now going to be weaker divided as they are. There is no Power West Coast Conference now that kids can go to to compete. We also sold off our parts dirt cheap. Look how strong the conference is in football this year. Look at our talent. Apple did low ball but was there any serious counteroffers? Why the hurry, I wonder, to accept the Big 10 invite? And 10 minutes to discuss the move among the Oregon Duck Board of Trustees? This has obviously been talked about for some time. Oregon STate says they were blindsided by the Duck's move. Lots to think about.
This is a foundationally misguided post. The talking heads like McAfee at eSECpn would love that you would rather blame your fellow Oregonians for what's happening to OSU than the real culprit = eSECpn and B1GFOX with a heavy heaping of late stage capitalism.
I root for the Beavers and the Ducks and I have none of the same animosity you do. I was in Corvallis this past Friday to see a terrific game.
While you are totally wrong in your conclusions about the UofO's role in the demise of the league, you are totally correct about how bogus it is for the rest of the schools that are leaving to try to run up the tab on their way out and then essentially dine and dash on Wazzu and the Beavs. The least they can do is turn the ship over to OSU and Wazzu's presidents and let them call the shots from here. Depart with some semblance of honor at least.
Yes, Chip, the truth is uncomfortable. What you seem to fail to see is that this all started with the hiring of an incompetent commissioner after ridding themselves of the previous incompetent commissioner. Then USC and UCLA, in secret, negotiated a departure to B1G under the nose of GK who had already messed up negotiations with ESPN. Then his lies to both the gullible university presidents and the media about a deal "worth the wait." You seem to think the deal he presented for $20 million for paid subscriptions without linear TV was a great deal. It was not. It was speculative at best and a risk. Universities, by nature are risk adverse.
Every university president and their board of trustees have to do FIRST what is best for their institution. That's why University of Oregon and University of Washington took the deal from the B1G. It is also why shortly after that the four corner schools took the B12 deal. Why didn't they stay with the four remaining and try to work it out? Why did Stanford and Cal refuse to stick with OSU and WSU? It is ALL because each university must do FIRST what is best for their University. I don't like it anymore than you do and I believe the discomfort of all the various sports having to travel like they are now compelled to do will eventually have some schools reevaluate. I also believe that at some not-to-distant point, football will be separated into its own non-NCAA league with proximity divisions similar to the NFL. Transition is not finished.
As uncomfortable as it is to see OSU and WSU stuck like this, a mature reasoning does not blame any one institution for this, unless you wish to go clear back to USC and UCLA who did what they did without provocation and in secret, but in the single interest of $$$. They took 70% of the TV market with them and doomed the PAC12 from ever negotiating a deal that would be acceptable to the remaining 10 universities. Blame them, blame Larry and George if you have to blame, but please get off the blame Oregon/Washington bandwagon.
The dude has a pea brain….seriously, foul and loud mouthed, egocentric. I prefer intelligent, well prepared commentators, neither of which that doofus is, and as a result , I’ve quit watching ESPN CGD. I don’t think that jackass ever prepares for anything…just runs his pie hole and he’s ruined CGD…to quote Dan Lanning…”all about the clicks”…..
I spend my fall Saturday mornings, prior to the 9am kickoffs, taking my dog for a good walk. Sounds like the programming at that time is about as insightful as what I have to pick up during the walk.
When they brought him in on Gameday starting a few years ago I thought he was a self promoting douche of the highest order. My feelings have not changed. David Pollack was not great either but at least he didn't try and make the whole show about him.
And what is with the sleeveless shirts on his podcast. Does he really think women find him attractive... or men are impressed. Soon as he opens his mouth he reveals himself as a loudmouth no it all who doesn't have a clue.
I watch the Fox Big Noon show and not a group of show-offs. Although it's difficult for me to remember so far back, McAfee reminds me of when I was a hormonally challenged teenage boy going out on his first date. Anything and everything to impress my date. (Usually, nothing worked.)
Just a reminder of how this site, thankfully, still practices real journalism which seems to be a dying art in favor of glitz and glamour; fluff without substance.
By the way, I have zero interest in Taylor Swift's latest boyfriend news and where Taylor happens to be watching football on a given Sunday.
Anyone who doesn't feel for OSC and WSU getting left behind by big media has no heart.
McAfee is a shallow, bullying, click-baiting, cartoonish ***hole. He also appeals to ESPN’s prime age (18-29) and gender (male) target demo.
There’s a reason Disney axed a bunch of talent and used the salary savings to pay this thug. Too many people love his act. It says a lot about our culture--none of it good.
Whoever earlier in this thread bemoaned Gary Cavalli’s (accurate) political point totally misses it. McAfee idolizes Aaron Rodgers. He provides him, and others, a platform for conspiracies, arguments and lies. The sports talk is just the sugarcoating.
Well played, Barry. When McPhee showed up on Gameday, I exited viewership as long as he is there. You describe the circumstances of the hire perfectly, demographic thug. Strange things are going on with ESPN, have you watched Around the Horn lately - several new faces. Impermanence. Charlie
I hadn’t watched any of their stuff for months but with NFL season in full swing I am there more. And yes, there’s an edge to their content that wasn’t there before. I hate it.
Amen Barry. If McAfee is now ESPN's poster child for the future... they are lost. The guy sounds like a WWF announcer (was he?). He's also a laugh as he thinks he was the greatest punter of all time and I hade forgotten he even played for the Colts... he was a bit player. Anyone who buys his prominence as a football star never heard of Ray Guy or Reggie Roby.
Sadly, they are getting exactly what they (won’t admit) they want: controversy, anger, clownishness. It isn’t really about informing.
You do realize that Aaron Rogers take on the vaccine turned out to be true and not a conspiracy right?
That is precisely correct. The more we learn about the "vaccine", the more shameful our actions towards small businesses, school children and nursing home elderly. Shameful.
Nothing in your comment above is true. Stick to sports.
Sure....
LOL
Yes.
But, Rogers was too much of a coward to come right out and say, a) “I’m not getting the jab”, or b) “none of your gawd damn business. Ever heard of medical privacy?”
But, no.
He had to lie about his vaccination status.
He’ll get no props from me.
well said!
Thanks, Barry!
Well written - completely agree with you on almost everything and you wrote it well.
The area where I may disagree is stating Rodgers is conveying conspiracies. What conspiracies? The Covid "vaccine"? As time goes on the Covid "vaccine" skeptics are proven more and more right on this issue. That's a fact, not a "conspiracy". Maybe Rodgers is involved in other "conspiracies", I don't know, but would be interested in learning.
Again, well expressed post.
Appreciate the response. In hindsight. I wish I hadn’t invoked a controversial non-sports topic. This is too civil and friendly a community for that.
Nothing at all to worry about. You consistently write insightful, interesting posts. Everyone's entitled to their opinions...would love to see this board stick to sports or sports related topics, but in our society today that's almost impossible. Keep posting!
I knew I could count on you to address this John. Thank you!!
What really hit hard with the initial Corso comment was that we had a great relationship with the Gameday Show up until then. Wave the Flag is at like 293 straight shows. They've done special segments on it and Tom Pounds (awesome guy in need of an article from you by the way). Then they finally visited Pullman in 2018 and I don't think we disappointed with our turnout. We felt a huge tie with the show...true respect.
Then out of nowhere when we're already down we get that comment? Of course we're going to say something. And we respectfully did. "Cougs Versus Everybody" is alive and well in Pullman because it feels so real and reactions like Gameday's are the gut punch to prove it.
Then McAffee comes in to finish us off? Thanks tough guy. Come visit Pullman and we'll find another canal for you to swim in after a few at the Coug.
Awesome comments Bruce! Man you just put into words what so many of us feel right now! I am a BEAV and have always appreciated WSU and Cougar Nation!! We are in lock step with you!!!
Thanks Kent! The one good thing to come out of all this at this point is the unity with OSU. They say misery loves company, but in this case it sure feels more like a good friend to get through tough times with. Go Cougs and Beavs!!
On that Gameday they were overwhelmed by the Cougar response, I’ve rewatched it, Corso, Herbstreit and the rest were effusive in their praise for WSU, Pullman and the Cougar fans.
They reference Ole Crimson multiple times, it’s interesting how the presence of a bully can cause decent people to go along with the bullying. Go Cougs, Cougs (and Beavs) against everyone!
Hopefully it’s a frozen canal!
McAfee is just another step in the transition of college football from a wholesome, respectable, and exciting game into the 2023 imitation of World Wrestling.
Very well played, Ken. Mirrors the degradation of our society in general. Charlie
I promised each and every Hulkamaniac when I went to that great battlefield in the sky I would bring the WWF title with me."
Hogan does sure sound like Prime now that you mention it 😂
Good post...however, I did like Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair...Whoooooooooooooooooo!!
Amen.
Well done John. Too much noise and clowning around on "Game Day" for my taste. All this noise is to drive more viewership just like the overblown coverage of Colorado and Coach Prime.
Its not viewership. Its social media attention. Somehow those clicks and retweets are replacing value. I actually used to spend 3 hours watching watching Game Day but I don't ever turn it on nor even watch highlights. There is ZERO value.
Much better to take the time and read Canzano and all those who comment here.
Agreed. Although ESPN and Fox still want to drive more eyes to their programming. You're right, it's more important now to be controvesial than to provide meaningful content
Ditto!
Great work, as usual John. You make the mistake of assuming the ESPN personalities even know the term "land grant university." McAfee's antics are juvenile and have degraded the quality of College GameDay.
The only two things I know about McAfee are that he was a kicker and that the guy wears sleeveless shirts as if he has a gun show to showcase instead of a dad bod that needs to lay off the tanning bed. Other than that: free speech I guess. Guy gets clicks and that’s what this has all boiled down to sadly
McAfee is pretty lousy when you and I agree on something...
Well played, sc. Charlie
John, as usual you hit the nail on the head. You call a spade a spade. McAfee's punting average might be higher than his IQ. Go Cougs and Beavs!!!
I hope WSU goes undefeated and forces the Game Day crew to continue talking about them
McAfee is a clown. He belongs in the Repubican side of the House.
Gary, in case you haven't noticed we really don't talk politics in here. Take it outside.
Sigh. There is equal clowning on both sides of the aisle.
Gary, there are clowns on both sides.
Get out of here with your politics clown 🤡
Nice, let's make this about politics.
88 year old Lee Corso is also a clown. He belongs in the White House, and McAfee too, is a clown. Given his typical dress, he belongs on the Democrat side of the Senate, along with the clown from Pennsylvania, wouldn’t you agree?
typical dumbass comment. Lee Corso is a very respected, well liked elderly gentleman. It is not his fault he had a couple strokes...he's loved and so ESPN trots him out there still, and lets Herbie cover for his drawbacks...Personally I think they should have gently retired Lee last year...but I don't sit in the production truck.
Thankfully neither do asshats like you and Gary Cavalli either.
Asshat? Actually I've sat in a lot of production trucks and produced national and local television. And I'd never employ Pat McAfee on any show.
Again, the original comment was meant as a joke. Maybe some anger management in order.
actually if that was meant as some kind of joke, perhaps it is YOU that needs help...your sense of humor lacks humor. Any time you have to "explain" that your so called joke was a joke...it isn't or wasn't, funny. and if you didn't know it, sarcasm/sarcastic humor does not come over the internet well.
great post, Grant's dad. I think Cavalli just got shut down.
Not really
Isn’t it sad that a comment among those with highest number of “likes” blatantly injected politics into the discussion? I merely brought some balance to the discussion. I agree with others who state there are clowns, many clowns, on both sides of the aisle.
How does this comment help Canzanos discussion in anyway, other than to virtue signal one side of his readers and insult the other half.
How about, regardless of party, we all see McAfee as an asshat?
Perfect!
What do you think of Stanford this year Gary?
Years ago Stanford guys used to all be Republicans. What happened?
Reagan and the 1980’s. The GOP took a hard-Right turn, and lost the “middle”. My home state of Washington was a swing state before then. BTW politics, like sports, are part of life. This blog is about life - not only sports. That is why I enjoy it.
Happened way before that at Stanford. Cavalli is the former sports information director and was promoted to either assistant or associate athletic director.
Yes, I was aware of GC’s “Dark Past” (Humor intended). Stanford still has the Hoover Institution & Condi Rice - not exactly a hotbed of anarchy. The people in charge are still relatively conservative.
Beg to differ with you on that one. Like Cal it's the University of Affirmative Action or the University of Planned Parenthood, take your pick.
I respect your argument, ironman, and will politely “agree to disagree”. I will, in your words “take my pick”. I would hope that EVERY school would aspire to be the University of Planned Parenthood.
Yeah, Reagan took a hard right turn...and only won 49 states in his re-election.
Sheezus, why not just drop the political crap and get back to the column...which was outstanding.
Just a suggestion.
I will take your kind suggestion and drop politics - “crap” or otherwise - after this post. The GOP in Washington State went hard right in the 80’s, NOT Reagan, and 1980 was the last time they won the Governor’s race here. 1994 was the last time the GOP won a Senate race. WA was very much a swing state prior to 1980. Those are facts. To argue a point is one thing, to bicker is another. I try to add to a discussion without getting personal. I respect every opinion, and try to agree or disagree respectfully. I did not start the political firestorm in the comments today - I have merely commented on them. Best to you.
Bill, I appreciate your response. I became very frustrated with the political turn this thread took - really ruins the atmosphere as far as I'm concerned.
I'm from the PNW and understand what happened in Oregon and Washington since the '80's. Both shifted and today are far left states. There are other examples across the country of states that used to be swing states that are now far right and far left - California, Tennessee, West Virginia, Texas, and many, many more. All these states - total blue and ruby red are microcosms of our polarized society today. That's exactly why I prefer this sports board stay exactly that - a sports board. You cannot win trying to change peoples' political position with a post on social media sites - it's a fool's errand and always - 100% of the time - creates animosity that devolves into a cesspool.
The best to you, as well.
Agree with your first sentence, Gary. You ruined it all with your second one.
I've always loved College Game Day, but as of last week I'll not watch again. Sad, really. McAfee ruins Saturday for me with his obnoxious behavior and loud contemptuous comments. Done.
Well played, Kathie. Charlie
The sad thing is, I think, is that this isn't an act, some show that McAfee is putting on for the sake of ratings; it's just who he is. Which is to say, a bully, but not the sadistic sort. No, just your typical run-of-the-mill, insecure, self-hating bully who picks on the kids smaller than him, because he can't handle the fact that nobody really likes him. Sure, he's "popular." He's got "friends." But those friends are either sycophants who will turn on him the moment he shows weakness, or people that coulnd't care less about him, except as a source of amusement. And deep down inside, McAfee knows that none of those people are laughing *with* him; they're laughing *at* him. He's a joke, and it's obvious in how he talks, how he carries himself, how he presents himself to the world.
He tries to build himself up to be... something. To pretend like he's more than you. But he isn't, and he can't be. He doesn't know how. So instead, he attacks whoever he thinks can't defend themselves, and then he runs off crying when he winds up punched in the nose. Or worse, ignored.
He's more pathetic than Scut Farkus.
Epic reference: Scut Farkus! Give ol McAfee a racoon-skin hat and there it is!
Well played, Justin. Charlie
John. I know that this is not your objective but your drumbeat of articles on the demise of PAC 12 underscores (at least to me) how dishonorable the University of Oregon and others have acted. You've been objective and fair as you can be unlike others like the McAfees of the world who are biased and driven by other forces. We can't ask for anything more than the continued uncovering of the motivations by the decision makers that led us to where we are. Thank you for keeping the spotlight on this and on the facts. Such as why do the Presidents of the Universities that have left insist on fighting for every last dollar, knowing how important these funds are to OSU and WSU if they are every to rebuild the PAC and keep their athletic departments afloat? This needs to be called out for what it is....which is Greed upon Greed.
Chip, OSU, and WSU got screwed. But it was due to a decade-plus of Pac-12 leaders, including OSU and WSU 'leaders' making terrible business decisions along with college sports being fully capitalized.
Oregon made the correct decision for Oregon. The only decision in this day and age that made financial sense.
IMO, OSU, and WSU should be headed to the B12 but I don't write media checks.
There is no reason for anyone, let alone an ESPN talking head, to pile on.
except, I don't think it makes sense financially, when you look at the details of the Apple offer, which I understand, Phil Knight liked. When you factor in the travel caused in disruptions in student athletes lives, which is difficult to put a cost on, I am not sure they gave the Apple deal enough consideration and I am not sure how much back-and-forth the Pac 12 presidents had with Apple. In listening to the testimony in the Oregon legislature, it appeared the Oregon departure was very sudden, and was without warning. I think Oregon holds a higher level of responsibility towards its neighboring school and the rest of the Pac 12 schools, in that had they decided to go forward with the Apple deal everyone would've been held together it would have been an investment that could have paid off down the road had Oregon believed the Pac 12 was worth saving, which I believe it was.
Worth saving? YES! But the market said, NO! And when you capitalize anything you are at the mercy of the market.
Oregon is most definitely not the reason the Pac-12 broke up. In both football and basketball, Oregon was the Pac-12's heavy lifter nationally.
Apple, with all the money in the world, lowballed the Pac-12. Come 2031, Oregon will be a full B1G member and share in a new media deal that will have a streaming component but will also have a heavy linear component.
Oregon was supposed to pass on the B1G opportunity for the risk associated with going 100% with streaming in 2024. The travel calculus was figured into Oregon's decision-making.
Oregon was not going to martyr itself to save the Pac-9. To do so would have been an absurd business decision.
University of Oregon is like a group of people in society who sell their bodies for money.. Starts with a P. You can shake it any way you want but that is what happened.
The Apple deal would have killed exposure and recruiting, which is the lifeblood of any program. The combination of significantly lower guaranteed money and lack of exposure caused Oregon to have only one choice that made business sense. That’s it. It’s simple really, but of course it’s very sad that the conference imploded. I hate it. But I understand why the Ducks and Huskies made the decision to leave.
Please show me a quote where Phil Knight spoke about the Apple deal.
"I like the Apple deal." - Phil Knight.
Hi Tim. I don't have a quote other than what I read in the L.A. Times. Brady McCollough quoated a 'source' that Phil Knight loved it (the Apple Deal).
Let us remember it AS and always will be: ARROGANT OREGON
"Arrogant Oregon" don't you mean fiscally responsible Oregon?
Whether it was fiscally responsible will not be known for some time. As we've discussed at length is the travel requirements and disruptions to student athletes really worth it? How much influence did John Karl Scholz have in all of this? He was leading Wisconsin and was advocating for Big10 expansion westward when USC and UCLA left. USC's Carol Folt is an Easterner. Scholz is from the Midwest. Whose best interests were they representing?. Neither probably care about the traditions they broke and the history of the PAC I feel the West Coast schools are now going to be weaker divided as they are. There is no Power West Coast Conference now that kids can go to to compete. We also sold off our parts dirt cheap. Look how strong the conference is in football this year. Look at our talent. Apple did low ball but was there any serious counteroffers? Why the hurry, I wonder, to accept the Big 10 invite? And 10 minutes to discuss the move among the Oregon Duck Board of Trustees? This has obviously been talked about for some time. Oregon STate says they were blindsided by the Duck's move. Lots to think about.
AMEN
No Just what I said
This is a foundationally misguided post. The talking heads like McAfee at eSECpn would love that you would rather blame your fellow Oregonians for what's happening to OSU than the real culprit = eSECpn and B1GFOX with a heavy heaping of late stage capitalism.
I root for the Beavers and the Ducks and I have none of the same animosity you do. I was in Corvallis this past Friday to see a terrific game.
While you are totally wrong in your conclusions about the UofO's role in the demise of the league, you are totally correct about how bogus it is for the rest of the schools that are leaving to try to run up the tab on their way out and then essentially dine and dash on Wazzu and the Beavs. The least they can do is turn the ship over to OSU and Wazzu's presidents and let them call the shots from here. Depart with some semblance of honor at least.
Chip, your ongoing blame of the University of Oregon for the demise of the PAC-12 is getting as obnoxious as Pat McAfee.
Bill. I hear what you are saying but the truth is uncomfortable.
Yes, Chip, the truth is uncomfortable. What you seem to fail to see is that this all started with the hiring of an incompetent commissioner after ridding themselves of the previous incompetent commissioner. Then USC and UCLA, in secret, negotiated a departure to B1G under the nose of GK who had already messed up negotiations with ESPN. Then his lies to both the gullible university presidents and the media about a deal "worth the wait." You seem to think the deal he presented for $20 million for paid subscriptions without linear TV was a great deal. It was not. It was speculative at best and a risk. Universities, by nature are risk adverse.
Every university president and their board of trustees have to do FIRST what is best for their institution. That's why University of Oregon and University of Washington took the deal from the B1G. It is also why shortly after that the four corner schools took the B12 deal. Why didn't they stay with the four remaining and try to work it out? Why did Stanford and Cal refuse to stick with OSU and WSU? It is ALL because each university must do FIRST what is best for their University. I don't like it anymore than you do and I believe the discomfort of all the various sports having to travel like they are now compelled to do will eventually have some schools reevaluate. I also believe that at some not-to-distant point, football will be separated into its own non-NCAA league with proximity divisions similar to the NFL. Transition is not finished.
As uncomfortable as it is to see OSU and WSU stuck like this, a mature reasoning does not blame any one institution for this, unless you wish to go clear back to USC and UCLA who did what they did without provocation and in secret, but in the single interest of $$$. They took 70% of the TV market with them and doomed the PAC12 from ever negotiating a deal that would be acceptable to the remaining 10 universities. Blame them, blame Larry and George if you have to blame, but please get off the blame Oregon/Washington bandwagon.
The dude has a pea brain….seriously, foul and loud mouthed, egocentric. I prefer intelligent, well prepared commentators, neither of which that doofus is, and as a result , I’ve quit watching ESPN CGD. I don’t think that jackass ever prepares for anything…just runs his pie hole and he’s ruined CGD…to quote Dan Lanning…”all about the clicks”…..
I spend my fall Saturday mornings, prior to the 9am kickoffs, taking my dog for a good walk. Sounds like the programming at that time is about as insightful as what I have to pick up during the walk.
We need dogs way more than we need Gameday.
When they brought him in on Gameday starting a few years ago I thought he was a self promoting douche of the highest order. My feelings have not changed. David Pollack was not great either but at least he didn't try and make the whole show about him.
David did have a pleasant personality, Oh, and knew a lot about football as well.
And what is with the sleeveless shirts on his podcast. Does he really think women find him attractive... or men are impressed. Soon as he opens his mouth he reveals himself as a loudmouth no it all who doesn't have a clue.
His show is unwatchable.
Thank you, JC!
McAfee is a clown. Corso's schticht is old.
I watch the Fox Big Noon show and not a group of show-offs. Although it's difficult for me to remember so far back, McAfee reminds me of when I was a hormonally challenged teenage boy going out on his first date. Anything and everything to impress my date. (Usually, nothing worked.)
Just a reminder of how this site, thankfully, still practices real journalism which seems to be a dying art in favor of glitz and glamour; fluff without substance.
By the way, I have zero interest in Taylor Swift's latest boyfriend news and where Taylor happens to be watching football on a given Sunday.
Anyone who doesn't feel for OSC and WSU getting left behind by big media has no heart.
Ahhhhh, Jon...OSC...those were the days!