Sports and entertainment
Published January 4, 2024, 1:56 p.m. ET
Jemele Hill knows a thing or two about drama at ESPN.
The former “SportsCenter” host, who worked for the media giant from 2006 until her departure from the network in October 2018, didn't hold back when discussing the Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel controversy — and explained why ESPN is doing so We need to get the situation under control before history repeats itself.
Kimmel threatened legal action against Rodgers after the Jets quarterback suggested during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday that the late-night host may have been linked to the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
“ESPN or someone needs to get this under control,” Hill said during her appearance on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” on Wednesday, adding that she believes Kimmel “made a call” to Disney executives.
“The Pat McAfee Show” airs on ESPN, while “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” airs on ABC, both owned by parent company Disney.
Jemele Hill discusses the Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel controversy on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” on January 3, 2023. YouTube/The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
“We know that there is no more offensive crime in the ESPN and Disney universe than host-on-host or talent-on-talent crime,” Hill said. “There is no greater offense. Ask Tony Kornheiser and Hannah Storm – as if there was nothing bigger.
“I experienced some of that myself when me and Chris Berman were doing it behind the scenes, and that escalated into a certain level of leadership. So we know how this happens.”
Hill speculated whether Rodgers' weekly appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” would eventually end because of the situation.
Jimmy Kimmel delivers his opening monologue at the 95th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood. Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on “The Pat McAfee Show” on January 2, 2023. X/Pat McAfee
“I just feel like these conversations about what Aaron Rodgers can and can't say are getting completely out of control,” Hill said. “And part of me wonders, 'Will this be the end of Aaron Rodgers' weekly appearances?'
“Maybe not right now. But in hindsight, I think at some point with ABC or ESPN or the people who are paid to make these decisions, you start asking yourself the question, “Is it worth having him if this is going to happen every week?” “Some headline where he says something and we're making headlines for the wrong reasons?'”
Rodgers is not an ESPN employee.
According to The Post's Andrew Marchand, McAfee, who joined ESPN in September 2023 after signing a major contract in the spring, pays Rodgers more than seven figures per year to appear on his show each week.
Pat McAfee talks about the Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel drama on his ESPN show on January 3, 2023. X/Pat McAfee
McAfee addressed the controversy on Wednesday's episode of his show and apologized for being caught up in the media storm.
An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment when asked by The Post about the situation.
In addition to Hill, Dan Le Batard and Pablo Torre, who also appeared on the show, are also former ESPN personalities.
“I remember there was a pretty big fight at ESPN just to keep Ron Magil, the Beastman. [communications director of the Miami-Dade Zoo] on air on ESPN.
“I have to imagine that ESPN won't comment on Aaron Rodgers for linking Disney's biggest talk show host to Epstein Island…what problem do ESPN and Disney have here?”
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Dear Asshole: For the record, I have not met Epstein, flown with him, visited him, or had any contact with him, and you won't find my name on any “list” other than the clearly false nonsense , which soft-brained lunatics like They can't seem to distinguish themselves from reality. You are reckless… https://t.co/p8eug12uiS
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) January 2, 2024
Stephen A. Smith, ESPN's top personality, also weighed in on the controversy during Wednesday's episode of his YouTube show “The Stephen A. Smith Show” — which covers bolder topics than what viewers see on the ESPN radio airwaves – and said Rodgers should apologize.
“I've wondered how people who work, still work at ESPN, like Stephen A., when they're not on ESPN, can essentially indulge in a certain horniness that was once unthinkable on Disney networks .” Torre said. “And I praise the pivot of horniness.
“I just wonder if Aaron Rodgers has gotten to the point where he doesn't even think this is crazy and legally punishable even on a network [like Disney].”
Kimmel and Rodgers have history, as the late-night host used the four-time MVP as a joker on his talk show.
Rodgers still has to deal with Kimmel's threat, which came in the form of an X post on Tuesday.
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