ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Denies Reported Dispute With Pat McAfee

Stephen A. Smith addressed the recent rumors around his relationship with Pat McAfee on Friday.

Ryan Glasspiegel of The New York Post reported Thursday that a confrontation between the two ESPN personalities had taken place, with McAfee calling Smith a “motherf-----” over creative differences between the two.

On his podcast Friday, Smith denied any problem with McAfee—and expressed gratitude for his independent-minded approach to media.

“Number one, there is no dispute whatsoever,” Smith said. “Pat McAfee is my teammate. Pat McAfee and I work together at ESPN. There is no banishment from First Take or any other show. He is more than welcome to come on First Take in the future and I’m gonna be more than welcome to come on his show.”

McAfee, a former kicker and punter for West Virginia and the Indianapolis Colts, joined ESPN in 2023—bringing his popular (and occasionally controversial) show with him.

“I root for my teammates. I root for my colleagues. I don’t root against anybody. The people out there who do that are idiots. A rising tide raises all boats. If you succeed, I succeed,” Smith said. “I cannot tell you how thankful and grateful I am to Pat McAfee.”