ESPN Keeps Distance as Pat McAfee Releases Polarizing Album With Colleague Support

ESPN says it had no involvement in Pat McAfee's album The Diary of a Polarizing Figure, despite praise from colleagues. The 14-song project, produced with Ernest and DeVille Records, uses McAfee’s diary-like lyrics to reflect on haters and his rise from Philadelphia to NFL punter to broadcasting star. Reactions ranged from praise by Kirk Herbstreit and Dan Orlovsky to skepticism from some outlets and fans, but ESPN remains focused on ongoing contract extension talks with McAfee (potentially around $60 million per year) and McAfee hints there could be more music to come.