Stephen A. Smith says there’s no beef with him and Pat McAfee [Update]

Replace March 9: Stephen A. Smith says there’s no beef between him and fellow ESPN speaking head Pat McAfee.

“There isn’t a dispute in any respect. Pat McAfee is my teammate. Pat McAfee and I work collectively on ESPN,” Smith stated. “There isn’t a banishment from First Take or another present. He’s greater than welcome to come back on First Take sooner or later and I’m gonna be greater than welcome to come back on his present

“I don’t know what number of instances I’m gonna must say this however I’m gonna do this yet another time, not simply counting on a press release or a quote that I issued by means of ESPN. However I’m going to look into the cameras and say this to you, nationally and globally: I root for my teammates. I root for my colleagues. I don’t root towards anyone. The folks on the market who do which might be idiots. A rising tide lifts all boats.”

ESPN speaking heads Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith lately engaged in an explosive cellphone name over inventive variations that escalated to the purpose the place the previous Indianapolis Colts punter known as the latter a “motherf*cker,” in accordance with a New York Put up unique.

The argument got here from a undertaking that Smith might be doing on ESPN sooner or later and is government producing the phase by means of his personal manufacturing firm, the Put up reported. After the spat, Smith banned McAfee from showing on his present, First Take sooner or later, in accordance with the report.

McAfee beforehand would seem each Tuesday throughout soccer season to supply commentary however stated he was not conscious of a ban, in accordance with the Put up. Smith acknowledged there by no means was one within the first place, per the story.

Either side indicated that their beef had been resolved, the Put up reported.

Each McAfee and Smith have been profitable of their respective exhibits for ESPN, bringing in a record-high 496,000 viewers for First Take final 12 months and 298 million views throughout all platforms for The Pat McAfee Present since being produced by means of ESPN.

“We’re No.1 and he has completely contributed to us remaining No.1. McAfee was requested to come back on every Tuesday by means of the Tremendous Bowl and he did simply that, kicking ass every time he got here on the air,” Smith stated in an e mail to the Put up. “If McAfee needs to be on First Take subsequent season, he might be on First Take. I really like winners and McAfee has confirmed he wins — which helps ME win. I don’t know what number of instances I’ve to inform people that he’s trail-blazed a path into a brand new period for thus many people. I’m grateful to have him as part of my crew and the ESPN Household. And I’m trying ahead to having him on for years to come back. I sincerely hope that I can’t must repeat myself on this nonsense once more!”