Pat McAfee Defends WWE’s ESPN Move, Rips Mid-Level ESPN Execs Trying to Stir Drama

WWE’s billion-dollar streaming deal with ESPN has fans fired up — but Pat McAfee is pouring champagne on the flames and toasting to the future.

The sports entertainment world was rocked when news dropped that WWE’s Premium Live Events would leave Peacock in 2026 and head to ESPN’s new $29.99-per-month streaming platform. While TKO Holdings celebrates a five-year, $1.625 billion payday, fans are left staring down a nearly triple price jump for the same content.

Amid the backlash, Pat McAfee took to Twitter and made it clear where he stands — firmly behind WWE and ESPN, while firing shots at critics within ESPN’s own walls.

“Congrats to the @WWE and @espn on getting a historic PLE deal done. Great to see 2 powerhouses of sports and entertainment come together.”

Advertising

Advertising

McAfee didn’t hold back on what he called the “mid level, powerless, bum ass suits at ESPN” who might try to stir up drama behind the scenes.

“I assume all the mid level, powerless, bum ass suits at ESPN will attempt to muddy this somehow (out of context leaks/ignorant anonymous opinions/etc.) but, in the end.. this agreement will outlive the dinosaurs currently guarding desks in Bristol and this deal will be great for ESPN. Cheers to the future.

McAfee’s loyalty to WWE is no surprise given his history with the company — but his brutal honesty toward ESPN’s internal politics definitely turned heads. Meanwhile, fans are still adjusting to the fact that what used to cost $10.99 a month will soon cost $29.99, and that WWE’s biggest shows — WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series — will now come at a premium price.

Whether fans like it or not, the deal is done. WWE’s streaming future is with ESPN — and the cost of entry just got a lot steeper.