In the past day, personalities from Barstool Sports have been openly apologizing for promoting incorrect and sensational rumors about Ole Miss student Mary Kate Cornett. While Dave Portnoy and his team have been forthcoming and meticulous with their public apologies, ESPN and Pat McAfee have not addressed the matter with the same level of seriousness.
This situation underscores Barstool Sports as the more responsible party, while ESPN and McAfee’s silence suggests they are falling short in taking accountability.
Background on the Situation
Both Barstool Sports figures and Pat McAfee referenced the unfounded rumors about Cornett on his widely televised ESPN program. In response, Cornett’s father and legal representatives called out both parties for disseminating harmful and potentially defamatory content, threatening legal action.
The issue gained traction last week when Cornett shared her story with NBC News, criticizing these influential sports figures for lending credence to the rumors. She also described the emotional distress and trauma she endured as a result.
It’s surprising that Barstool Sports, given its controversial past, has taken the initiative to act responsibly while ESPN has remained silent. This is particularly notable considering how ESPN previously distanced itself from Barstool due to concerns over its brand toxicity.
The Ongoing Silence
Since the incident, McAfee has yet to address his involvement in amplifying the false rumors. Throughout this saga, ESPN has not provided any comments. The only time McAfee seemed to touch on the issue was during his Big Night Aht in Pittsburgh, where he stated he would “figure that out.”
Regarding the situation, I didn’t want to contribute negativity during its unfolding. We will work on turning this terrible circumstance into something constructive. You have my assurance that being a fan of mine won’t be so problematic moving forward.
However, no direct apology to Cornett from McAfee has been issued yet, unlike the responses from Portnoy and other Barstool personalities over the past two days.
Public Apologies from Barstool
Dave Portnoy: “I sincerely apologize, and I understand why the family is upset. I am saddened by the situation and wish we hadn’t contributed to it.”
Kevin Clancy: “I genuinely regret my actions regarding Mary Kate Cornett and the negative impact it had on her, her family, and friends due to my poor judgment in creating content around the rumors.”
Jack McGuire: “In February, I made comments regarding the unfounded rumors about Mary Kate Cornett’s alleged affair. I recognize now that these rumors were false and wish to apologize to her and her loved ones for my comments.”
Charles Nicholas Longley: “I need to apologize for a post I made in February about Mary Kate Cornett. I genuinely regret that post and sincerely apologize for it.”
Looking Ahead
As the situation has unfolded, it raises questions about the silence from McAfee and ESPN, especially given Barstool Sports’ proactive stance. With legalities potentially still at play, there is speculation that McAfee may address the matter more directly once those discussions reach a resolution.
This delayed response from ESPN contrasts markedly with Barstool’s willingness to publicly acknowledge their mistakes and commit to improvement, making a notable statement in the sports media landscape of 2025.
