Ben Koo

No lies detected

Deep down in a place they cannot admit, ESPN has to know McAfee’s likability with fans is trending towards being a problem. But until ratings give them a datapoint to think this/voice this, it’s a bubble of teeth gritting, denial, and acquiescing as needed. A required cross to bear of the job.

The video in question was pretty tame and frankly, a nothingburger. For it to actually impact the show on Saturday and draw these comments today (where Charlie Kirk is mentioned).... IMO got to have more self-control and thicker skin. This stuff hurts way more than it helps.

The McAfee resistance has settled on a battle cry. Don’t know the origin but it’s pervasive across IG and TikTok as well.

If you are not at all up to date on this situation, I will let Nancy Mace of all people take it from here

Aired on ESPN earlier tonight. Likely not sold through them

We've been circling this for a bit and have failed to really advance this story like we would have liked. The Ringer is getting stuck, like Vox did. Want to go full speed ahead into podcasts but are clearly indecisive on the website/written content front.

Leaked audio: Michigan Republican Mike Rogers asking for officers at polling stations to intimidate voters "We called the RNC early and said hey... Let's put police officers, retired or off-duty police officers as our poll watchers in Detroit because go ahead, try to intimidate them. Please."

A rival to Skip Bayless covering Tim Tebow has emerged with Byers covering Weiss.

This past Saturday was special, just as so many Saturdays are. And we're throwing it all away to expand the playoff to 24 games. Congrats, Tony Petitti, you’ve paved paradise and put up a parking lot. awfulannouncing.com/college-foot...

Tirico was surprised that Collinsworth brought up their dinner conversation about this. Makes you curious what the context was for them discussing Rodgers as an announcer. Very plausible they were thinking he is in play for Amazon, CBS, or ESPN next year.

I know there is a knee jerk reaction to dismiss the possibility, but we’ve steamrolled through so many things that seemed sacred. I’m sad to say, they’ve ratfucked the sport so much that going football independent is a real option for a lot of schools

Three of the the top six are going to lose today and one other top eight team will lose with ND and BYU coming up. Savor it. The hate watching that brings us together will soon be much less of a thing.

The networks hate the 9:30 am games, ESPECIALLY when they go long and squish down the amount of minutes the pregame shows don’t have a live game to compete with. Last week it sprawled into the 1pm window and pregame show ratings took a noticeable dive.

Thinking about how these games and moments would simply not matter much at all if they happened during a 24-team playoff structure.

“Tiered incentives” are bullshit. The moments and games are the memories because the stakes were the stakes. Tony Pettiti wants to own this one. All good. Larry Scott needs some company.

The universe will heal itself when Andrew Siciliano retakes his rightful throne

The speedrunning to expand to 24 teams, as well as pass the Protect College Sports Act, has the vibes of a bank-robbing crew who always just rob the tellers, but this time it's their final score, and they are getting greedy, rolling the dice and going to the vault.

I don't think he wants this job. I don't think ESPN wants him to have this job. I know McAfee is doing/has done two pregame shows, Megacasts,WWE (wrestled and announced), music album, his own show, acting, Disney voiceovers, etc... and he'll do more! But this one I don't think is in the cards.

30 years later, I still read stuff like this and think of Norm MacDonald’s running joke of ‘Duh’ Magazine.

90% of the conversations at ESPN over sports betting.

Today I got an email about the Blue Book value of my car. I also paid the bill for a checkup and dental work on my 15 year old dog. That bill was half the value of my car. Now thinking through if I need a new car, a better dog, a cheaper vet, or pet insurance.

Aww yeah gimme that Aerial America in the multiview

Why isn't Legend Bey playing has flummoxed OSU fans and media. The Comeback has learned that he has had two unreported minor legal issues since he moved to Columbus. Additionally, a source told The Comeback "With Legend, it’s always something" and “He has a lot of growing up to do.”

Is Fox going to start campaigning to grow playoff to 64 teams if this happens?

I've been saying the growing "Never apologize for anything" cult and movement is insanely stupid and troubling. Sincere apologies from public figures are increasingly rare, and imo, you have to note them when they do happen. Always better to apologize and keep it moving.

You guys got better movie taste than the other site. I’m going to order Chili’s and watch a movie. What’s the play? Tony, Roofman, and Train Dreams under consideration. Will take recommendation as well. I am behind on newer releases

The blue checkmark crypto AI bros are horny for Sports Illustrated, selling their domain because Trump likes to rename things for no reason.

The TV money has pulled the football season in this direction. More night games would help, but we all know the deal there. This is going to be one of those things that is understood to be a problem, but it's not going to get enough attention/scrutiny for anything to happen.

Not sure how many people followed Max's work with The Ring, but you rarely see someone do so much reputational harm to their career for a short-term gig. Max was SAS's partner. Had his own show on ESPN. Been reliably cringe the last year. Hard to see a path back for him within mainstream media.

Schefter vs. Rapoport 15x a day.

I had a friend over yesterday and made a random comment that the most talented people around my age are LeBron, Taylor Swift, and Nathan Fielder (I know...random). He didn't know who Nathan Fielder was and told me to text him about him later. Probably going to get a 1500 word text message now

Great read

Happy to see DJ featured in this episode. Truly one of a kind, and happy to see him get some national shine here.

The Big Ten is winning National Championships and making more TV money than the SEC. But there is a growing problem... The widening gap in TV ratings and the quality of the TV product itself, compared to the SEC, has many hitting the panic button. awfulannouncing.com/college-foot...

Said it a couple weeks ago but there is a growing amount of the population whose religion has become “you never have to apologize or admit you made a mistake”.

One of many many scenes that are frame by frame and word for word, just perfectly saved in my head. One of the better films, let alone sports docs, in my lifetime Considering the dreck of newer sports docs, I hope TikTok helps it find a newer and younger audience.

"I bet he felt great when he woke up this morning... But that's life! One minute you're on top of the world, the next minute some secretary's running you over with a lawnmower."

Truly amazing content. Thought he had cracked the case, and this was his moment. When Smith denies it, he claims perjury. It's pointed out multiple times that his whole conspiracy is based on him not realizing "Hawkeyes" ≠ Atlanta Hawks, and he STILL blusters belligerently.

If my dad did these rankings, he would put all the teams that make media meals free at the top of the list, with the paid meals following them.

Mike Tirico left ESPN for NBC for many reasons, but a big one is knowing he'd call a Super Bowl......eventually. Eagle will have a similar conundrum soon it seems.

Seeing all the pro- and anti-Sherrod Brown commercials jogs my memory to plug American Factory, one of the best documentaries of the last ten years. Brown speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony voices support for unionization. This was the reaction.

Definitely some upside for the Big Ten that Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin showing signs of life. That said Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan are the programs that do the heavy lifting in terms of TV ratings. All three head to October with a loss already is not ideal.

This play is what is going bring College Gameday to Iowa. If so, ESPN avoids what would likely be 5 SEC schools in a row.