ESPN executive Norby Williamson – who Pat McAfee called out – done after nearly 40 years
Norby Williamson is –whoPatMcAfeecalledout–no longer with ESPN, according to multiple reports and an internal memo obtained by The Athletic.
In the memo to staff, ESPN president of content Burke Magnus announced that Williamson, who was the network's executive editor and head of event and studio production (essentially giving him oversight over all ESPN content), was departing. The Athletic reported that Williamson, who joined the company in 1985, still had time left on his contract.
The New York Post first reported the news of Williamson's departure and said his deal was set to go through 2027, when the Super Bowl returns to ABC for the first time since 2006.
Magnus was promoted above Williamson last year, meaning he directly reported to ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro. A search for Williamson's replacement – "a new senior content executive," as Magnus put it in the memo – will begin immediately.
“Due to the exceptional hard work, creativity and commitment of the people at ESPN, and to a much lesser extent my contributions, I’d like to think we’ve left our great company in a far better place than we found it,” Williamson said in the memo.
Williamson's battles with ESPN talent over the years included feuds with past luminaries such as Dan Patrick and Jemele Hill. But his name became synonymous with drama in January when Pat McAfee accused Williamson of intentionally sabotaging "The Pat McAfee Show" by leaking ratings that were relatively underwhelming for the new early afternoon program. (ESPN licenses McAfee's show from 12-3 p.m. ET.)
In February, during an appearance on the "All the Smoke" podcast, McAfee said his callout was a "warning shot."