Jemele Hill knows a thing or two about ESPN drama.
The former “SportsCenter” host, who worked for the media giant from 2006 until his departure in October 2018, didn't hold back when discussing the Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel controversy and why ESPN Explained what the problem needs to be figured out. The situation before history repeats itself.
Kimmel revealed that the Jets quarterback hinted during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday that the late-night host may have had an affair with the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In response, he threatened legal action against Rogers.
“ESPN or somebody is going to have to rein this in,” Hill said Wednesday during an appearance on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Staggotts,” adding that Kimmel told Disney higher-ups He added that he believed he “made the phone call.”
“The Pat McAfee Show'' will air on ESPN, and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' will air on ESPN. It airs on ABC, and both are owned by parent company Disney.
“We know that in the world of ESPN and Disney, there is no crime more disgusting than host-on-host crime and talent-on-talent crime,” Hill said. “There is no greater violation than this. Just ask Tony Kornheiser and Hannah Storm. There is no greater violation than this.
“I went through some of this myself when me and Chris Berman were involved in this issue behind the scenes and it escalated to a certain level of executive level. I know what happens.”
Mr. Hill speculated that the situation may ultimately lead to the end of Mr. Rodgers' weekly appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
X/Pat McAfee
“I feel like this conversation about what Aaron Rodgers should and shouldn't say is completely out of control,” Hill said. “And part of me is wondering, 'Is this the end of Aaron Rodgers' weekly appearances?”
“Maybe not right now. But if you look down the road and at some point, if you're ABC or ESPN or the people who are paid to make these decisions,” You wonder, 'Is it worth it to have him on a show every week?' A headline like he's saying something and we're making headlines for the wrong reasons? ”
Rodgers is not an ESPN employee.
According to the newspaper's Andrew Marchand, McAfee, who joined ESPN in September 2023 after signing a mega-money deal this spring, paid Rodgers more than seven figures a year to appear on his show every week. They say they are being compensated.
X/Pat McAfee
McAfee addressed the controversy on Wednesday's episode of his show and apologized for the media firestorm.
An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment when asked about the situation by The Post.
In addition to Hill, Dan Le Batard and Pablo Torre, who also appeared on the show, are also former ESPN personalities.
“I remember at ESPN we had a pretty big fight trying to keep Ron McGill, the animal guy, off guard. [communications director of the Miami-Dade Zoo] Broadcast on ESPN.
“I can only imagine that the reason ESPN is refusing to comment on Aaron Rodgers is because he is linking Disney's biggest talk show host to Epstein's Island…What kind of problem does ESPN and Disney have here?” Are you there?”
Top ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith also addressed the controversy on Wednesday's episode of his YouTube show, The Stephen A. Smith Show. The show tackles bolder topics than what viewers see on ESPN's airwaves. Rogers said he owed an apology..
“It's amazing how people like Stephen A., who work at ESPN even when they're not on the air, can basically lean into a kind of excitement that was once unthinkable on the Disney airwaves. I’m amazed at the ways it can be done,” Torre said. “And I admire the axis to excitement.
“I wonder if Aaron Rodgers is at the point where he doesn't think this is so insane that he could even be legally sued on the network.” [like Disney]”
Kimmel and Rodgers have a history, with the late night host once using the four-time MVP as the butt of a joke on his talk show.
Rodgers has yet to address Kimmel's threat. Tuesday's X Post.
