Pat McAfee isn't letting the critics get under his skin—he's just turning up the volume. During Saturday's College GameDay from Salt Lake City, the ESPN star once again aimed his sights at the New York Times, the parent company of The Athletic, which recently published a scathing column about his influence on the show.
The feud ignited after The Athletic's Jerry Brewer wrote that McAfee's "frat-rock prankster" persona has turned GameDay into something less than "the ultimate gathering place for all fans." Brewer questioned whether the show's tradition could survive McAfee's omnipresent, bombastic energy, asking, "Whose show is it?"
McAfee didn't wait long to respond. On last week's broadcast, he playfully warned co-host Rece Davis about the Times' watchful eye, saying, "The New York Times is gonna write an article about you. Don't do it, Rece! College football is fun. 'GameDay' might be fun, too. Don't do that!"
This week, he went even further. Within the opening minute of the show, McAfee tore off his shirt and launched into a sarcastic tirade aimed directly at the paper. "New York Times always saying it! 'This a--hole is shirtless at 9:02 a.m. Eastern!' Sorry, Coach. I'm ruining the whole sport; I'm ruining the whole sport because of this," he quipped, clearly relishing the controversy.
The moment was classic McAfee—unapologetic, loud, and impossible to ignore. And it's clear he hasn't let Brewer's column fade from memory. The ongoing spat has become a recurring theme on the show, with McAfee leaning into the criticism rather than backing down.
While some fans and commentators question whether McAfee's antics are good for the brand, ratings suggest otherwise. The show has seen a spike this season, and McAfee's magnetic—if polarizing—presence is a big reason why. His ability to draw attention, whether through shirtless stunts or sharp-tongued retorts, keeps GameDay in the headlines.
It's not just the Times that has felt McAfee's wrath. He's also been known to fire off jabs at colleagues, and his unfiltered style has drawn comparisons to the beloved Kirk Herbstreit era. But McAfee isn't trying to replicate anyone—he's carving his own path, even if it ruffles feathers.
As GameDay heads into a top-15 showdown between Houston and Utah, the focus should be on the field. But McAfee has a way of shifting the spotlight, and this week was no different. Whether you love him or hate him, he's impossible to ignore—and that's exactly how he likes it.
The feud with the New York Times may not be over, but McAfee has made it clear he's not backing down. In his world, any press is good press, and he's more than happy to keep the conversation going.
