Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee were reportedly involved in an argument in which tempers flared.
According to the New York Post, the two ESPN personalities recently went at each other on a phone call that got heated, with things escalating to the point where McAfee called Smith a “Mother F- er.”
The Post reports that the quarrel resulted from creative differences over a project set to be spearheaded by Smith, who is executive producing it through his Mr. SAS Productions. The show will be aired on ESPN.
It was understood that Smith banned McAfee from appearing on ‘First Take’, with the former star kicker having made weekly appearances during the NFL season. But the post has reached out to both parties and both men insisted that their differences have been ironed out while a ban was never discussed.
ESPN stars Pat McAfee, Stephen A. Smith reportedly had explosive argument over creative differences leading Smith to ban McaAfee from 1st take pic.twitter.com/EbmIdq6aym
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) March 7, 2024
“I have nothing but love for Stephen A.,” McAfee told the publication via text. “I think I’m still welcome on ‘First Take’? I was scheduled through football season to join on Tuesdays, hopefully next year that’ll happen as well.”
“Pat McAfee and I have no issue and the notion that he’d be banned from ‘First Take’ is B.S,” Smith said in an email.
“We are No.1 and he has absolutely contributed to us remaining No.1. McAfee was asked to come on each Tuesday through the Super Bowl and he did just that, kicking A- each time he came on the air.”
An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
