Nick Saban is in the news on Thursday after a discovery made by the New York Post. Sports media reporter Andrew Marchand reported that the legendary college football coach and Aaron Rodgers both get paid “millions” to appear on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ every week.
The Pat McAfee Show reportedly pays Aaron Rodgers more than $1 million per year for his appearances https://t.co/pcIyMrgzdX pic.twitter.com/GRwcgewVpP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 12, 2023
Paid appearances for guests on shows aren’t some new thing. But as Awful Announcing wrote, the Worldwide Leader doing it is certainly a difference. It’s a different type of deluge for ESPN to go into and one that might land them in a lot of heat.
Critics have been down McAfee and the network’s throats for probably good reason over the last few months. The network was criticized for hiring McAfee to a lucrative contract while ESPN went through significant layoffs. Then, McAfee’s antics on ‘College GameDay’ drew the ire of Washington State fans as well as ‘Good Morning Football’ contributor and Wazzu alum Ryan Leaf.
Saban being involved isn’t quite as controversial as Rodgers, though. To Nick’s credit, he hasn’t gone on the show to spout off anti-vaccine rhetoric or challenge All-Pro tight ends to debates. By association, Saban was brought into the storm of controversy that ramped up online Thursday afternoon.
Alabama certainly doesn’t need any extra attention right now. Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide, leading the SEC West, play Arkansas this weekend.
The college football world had plenty to say.
Well, if you're wondering why Nick Saban agreed do a weekly segment on McAfee's show.
"Rodgers is receiving more than seven figures per year to come on the show each week, according to sources, while Saban is in that vaunted neighborhood." https://t.co/iLGlh8kHCI
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 12, 2023
Andrew might want to be a little more specific. "More than seven figures" means at least $10M a year, which would pretty much wipe out McAfee's annual salary. https://t.co/qEAWLSwg5K
— Nick Daschel (@nickdaschel) October 12, 2023
Always knew Saban wasn't a cheap date
— 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙥 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙥 𝙍𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩 (@ChopChopRupert) October 12, 2023
that's where the Pac 12 TV money went. lol
— ABenjamin (@ndbass_2001) October 12, 2023
