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More than Cameras and a Crowd: Inside ESPN's 'College GameDay'
On Saturday, Pat McAfee mocked The New York Times during ESPN College GameDay in Salt Lake City, using the broadcast's opening minutes to needle the paper over its criticism of his on-air antics.
Earlier this month, The Athletic columnist Jerry Brewer labeled McAfee a 'frat-rock prankster' and argued the show is no longer 'the ultimate gathering place for all fans' despite high ratings.
Removing his shirt at the show's start on Saturday, McAfee shouted, 'New York Times always saying it! This a**hole is shirtless at 9:02 a.m. I'm ruining the whole sport.'
McAfee has now answered back two weeks running, with co-host Rece Davis and former Alabama coach Nick Saban supporting him as he rallied the crowd.
Despite the criticism, GameDay ratings remain high, driven by McAfee's appeal to younger viewers as thousands of fans in Salt Lake City showed strong support for his approach.