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The Stephen A. Plot Thickens

ESPN’s biggest star doesn’t simply covet McAfeebucks—he also wants a McAfee-style deal structure that would pay him out like he’s running his own production company. What should Pitaro do?

stephen a. smith
Despite McAfee’s proclivity for causing trouble and grabbing attention, ESPN is already Stephen A.’s network. Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images
John Ourand
June 25, 2024

Say what you will about Norby Williamson, ESPN’s recently defenestrated jack-of-all-trades who helped revolutionize the network during the past two decades until he ran into the Pat McAfee buzz saw. Williamson was a renowned talent whisperer who was known for making unpopular decisions and cleaning up Bristol micro-scandals, like the SC6 drama involving Jemele Hill and Michael Smith. But it’s hard to imagine that even Norby would have had the special sauce to manage the latest mushrooming talent challenge at ESPN.