Dan Le Batard Reacts to Norby Williamson Out at ESPN Following Public Pat McAfee Feud

News broke during the break that Norby Williamson is OUT at ESPN. Dan breaks down the power dynamics shifting from producers to talent and how this move reflects a growing divide.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ Follow & Subscribe to Our Podcasts on Spotify & Apple Podcasts ✅
🔊 The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz 🔊
🟢 Spotify: open.spotify.c....
🟣 Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple....
🔊 Le Batard & Friends Network 🔊
🟢 Spotify: open.spotify.c....
🟣 Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple....
🔊 Mystery Crate 🔊
🟢 Spotify: open.spotify.c....
🟣 Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅ Follow Us On Social! ✅
☑️ The LeBatard Show on Twitter: / lebatardshow ☑️
📸 The LeBatard Show on Instagram: / lebatardshow 📸
💥 The LeBatard Show on TikTok: / lebatardshow 💥
🪄 The LeBatard Show on Twitch: / lebatardandfriends 🪄
✅ Subscribe! ✅
💻 www.youtube.co....
🤑 MERCH! 🤑 :
lebatardaf.com/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Best Daily Sports Podcast on the Internet
#lebatardshow #lebatard #thepirateship #sports #betting #sportsbetting #live #stugotz #danlebatard #espn #patmcafee #patmcafeeshow #stephenasmith #stephena

[@upstatekid91]

As a long time Highly Questionable listener, Dan talking about the inner workings of ESPN when Pat had his rant about Norby is what brought me back to watching this channel. Keep it coming!

[@charlesshonat8295]

I’m very much an outlier, so my opinions are usually unpopular, but for what little it’s worth, I love hearing your discussions of sports media. Keep it coming!

[@jameslowe971]

❤

[@daltonmoore233]

Agreed! Lol

[@alexfernandez9659]

Probably not as much as you think. I agree that it’s fascinating seeing the man behind the curtain for these giant companies.

[@mkhanman12345]

Are opinions about popularity

[@AlanTenney-y9h]

💯

[@mattmason1380]

Great comment/question by Jess. Dan seems envious of McAfee being the wrecking ball at ESPN.

[@NickLooney]

From his interview with All the Smoke, he actually admitted as such multiple times.

[@ThereGoesRhodes]

Envious in an admirable way though. I don’t think it’s maliciously

[@smashtoad]

He's dripping with jealousy. Make no mistake. Maybe not as much as SAS though.

[@louislatimer4188]

We all like the dirt of the behind the scenes of shows we watch. We watch a lot of ESPN (me for over 25 years) so knowing the people and the crazy is fascinating! Keep it up

[@seakc87]

The reason why Pat was the one that got him axed is because Pat has something that no one else that Norby stepped to had. True options. Pat has a major audience that he cultivated on his own. He's never needed ESPN. He could leave the network tomorrow and be no worse off. ESPN is gonna be the one hurting. You could substitute any exec in the company (including Iger) and Pat would've still come out of it okay. This is what media companies are dealing with now. They have to be the ones smart enough to pick their battles against creators.

[@AABrawn]

I agree that he doesn’t necessarily need ESPN but he did choose to go with them because it makes his show bigger… which mean a further reach and more money. Don’t act like he did anybody any favors, it’s a partnership, and both shows are better with each other.

[@annierushing4796]

They don't need him or Stephen A

[@avantesmith6442]

@@annierushing4796you don’t cut back as much as ESPN has, and say “they don’t need them”. You’d been right 5-10 years ago, but outside of live sports, that network is dependent on those 2 dudes.

[@annierushing4796]

@@avantesmith6442 Maybe.

[@AABrawn]

@zachsabbath1your retort is based on surface level information. His FanDuel deal did not include any production costs. That’s what they paid him to call it a fan duel show then he had to disburse that money as necessary to run the entire show from the top down. ESPN is absorbing all of the production costs from Pat and then I’m sure he’s disbursing the 17M amongst himself and on air talent. Lebatard has talked about how ESPN has standards for what they pay support staff and production. You think he took a 17M/yr deal with ESPn and they didn’t agree to take on the huge production costs??? Think again.

[@khill1324]

You clearly do not understand Pat or his brand. He would have called out anyone regardless of anyone backing him or not. This is not a power shift, this is someone who actually doesn't care what you or anyone else thinks of them. That is true power, kneel before no man.

[@FrankQuintanilla879]

Crazy part is that pat isn’t even directly employed by ESPN and he’s basically calling the shots.

[@wolfwang8464]

They don’t have a single show or person as big as his show or personality

[@davidbowser]

This reminds me that the ESPN Ombudsman was always a favorite of mine. Calling out decisions to air/cover a topic when it was sports or sports-adjacent and then have a neutral party shine a light on the decision makers.

[@ReppinCTandATL]

We like hearing the sports media talk from Dan. Very enlightening!

[@annierushing4796]

Dan has never been right about anything in his life. Matter of fact the exact opposite will occur of what Dan enlightens

[@Nivlacattack]

I care about this stuff. ESPN and other traditional media need to change to catch up. Glad Pat is helping push that forward

[@Rico513]

Why does it always anger the bots that this show is interested in the sports media landscape when they are in the sports media landscape themselves? They talk about ESPN and FS1 but no one complains when they talk about Skip and FS1 lol. Stop crying and ignore the topic and these videos if you dont wanna hear it

[@claycassin8437]

So, anyone who disagrees with you is a "bot"? How convenient for you. Enjoy your bubble life!

[@RaiderRich2001]

Because everyone knows Skip is a parody of himself and Dan is usually right about him. That's why nobody complains.

[@ryanjohnson3881]

Mr. DLB I am glad to see you doin well, pat brought me back to you, sorry it took me so long to find you again but I am excited to be a fan for years to come.

[@urthpainter]

entire point in about 15 seconds: 10:25

[@rodneyreid7341]

Watching is a totally different experience. Prayers🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@jeffv3296]

Dan said Norby is quitting early in this clip, but it’s getting reported that he’s getting fired even though he has a few years left on his contract.

[@JamaalMills]

😂😂😂thx you Jess

[@gianfrancoilliano]

Keep the conversations about sports media going!! Also, more attention to business in sports please!

[@shaunshea2198]

Dan is 100% right we all want to hear about sports media inner workings, thank you 🙏

[@greggibson33]

The two biggest mouths have the biggest power.

[@aneesabashir8496]

I thoroughly enjoy the sports media talk!

[@xx-qm8ue]

I'm here for it too!!

[@aww352]

dan swiping andrew marchand at the beginning was killer

[@King_Quint]

Dan with the subtle blue faces flash😂😂😂

[@mattspychala7251]

Damn, Dan just showing those bennies

[@localgems-events]

Yezzurski! He only had hunneds so I guess he can't pay a $5 fine.

[@joelane1466]

WTF!!! Who are these guys? Literally took me 1 min to realize that I am an instant fan!!! First time viewer here. You guys are 😎AF... How have I not heard of this show? LOVE IT!!!!!

[@tedmich]

Norby started in mail room at ESPN over 40 years ago, and has only 5 people in his LinkedIn network; he'll have another top job in 5min.

[@whyhasgooglemessedwithmych1423]

And nobody really cares that he can get a job in 5 mins. just as long as he's gone from ESPN

[@smashtoad]

Quietly called out? Yeah...called him a rat, by name, on his show. Whisper quiet, Dan. Brilliant take.

[@LeoNewballJr]

I know there’s whole intro for when Dan talk about the inner workings of the media, but I do care. Mind you, there’s while podcasts where people talk about the inner workings of their industry (Hip-Hop, Music, Politics), so there being a place that has an honest conversation about the inner workings of sports media is needed. In part because, it’s good to know what takes that we’re listening to are biased / coming from a certain place. For instance, some popular analysts are fans of certain teams, and they get unabashedly irrational about their teams. It’s good to know about things like this, as it helps understand the media I’m consuming. So… please… continue to talk about this stuff. The insights about ESPN being a production company more than a personality company, helps understand what I’ve consumed in the past, personalities that I’ve liked, why they’ve gone elsewhere, and how to further digest certain channels and shows.

[@brockontop]

Broadcasting talk. So much fun!

[@Scaribay]

Pat has cultivated his own audience. That's the reason he's on ESPN, but it's also the reason he doesn't need Espn. Thats true freedom, that he is beholden to know one. Maybe one day there will be a sister station, MSPN.

[@NTONYO]

dan you’re absolutely right i only click on these videos when it’s corporate sports gossip

[@DeskPopDaveReacts]

I throughly enjoy the sports media talk

[@aww352]

wow jessica asking the tough question, amin with the vulnerability, dan reflecting and lastly dan’s breakdown of the timeline…. phew. tense.

[@lexa_power]

Norby was my old boss. I worked on The Fantasy Show and we had a puppet of him that you guys played with one time if you remember. I’ll never forget how mad Ed was when he saw you guys playing with the puppets 😂 good times, fun memories of my time there. They sent me packing as well once Matthew left and our show got cancelled.

[@nkress7369]

Lifelong fan Dan, hope all is well, but Pat beat ESPN way before he even got there. PMS on KZbin was beating everything on ESPN that rivaled his time slot. Pat had bested Norbie long before this incident. The people voted with their views.

[@marshallheckman]

I thought u wanted someone to fight eson pat did it

[@McRib_is_Bck]

Pat the new sheriff/executive in town 😎

[@joekabak2621]

yes we are interested.

[@d_jerg13]

Race and politics got Jemelle hill and Michael smith fired from sports center. If I wanted to listen to that content I would turn on the news, not SPORTS CENTER

[@ThePhantomCircus]

This is an indicator of a huge shift in entertainment that is desperately needed. Getting the old suits and vulture capitalists out and the talent back in charge is underway, and it's a huge coup.

[@retrorampage9015]

pat is more powerful then espn. they can’t cancel him and survive. he would just keep doing his show sense he owns it. he owns the network. can say whatever he wants.

[@jasoncowan6137]

Love the media talk

[@stevenorthwick2480]

Yes, I care about this stuff!

[@knicks42]

I'm here for it. Also more 😔 n and a chorus of zagaki

[@SomeChink]

here for the media talk

[@TheRealMichaelP]

Dan keeps stacks on deck and a V10 R8 outside

[@sirwolfjob1438]

The way he puts cash in his wallet makes me want to vomit🤮😂😂

[@TheRealMichaelP]

@@sirwolfjob1438 might as well just crumple it up into a ball 😂

[@billyshakespeare17]

When did Donovan McNabb join the show?

[@willdelarosa8238]

Every time I tune in, you guys are always talking about espn.

[@donhello7522]

the firing of an ESPN Executive....riveting.

[@ThomasWhitehouse-d2g]

Pat IS the Executive Producer of his show.

[@GoatedAtNFS]

Dan got the inside scoop of things never said about anyone else, maybe Golic and Ryen but this is what the public needs to know! So many got shafted by Shannon SAS and Pat alone and great journalists nonetheless. even if people get tired of it, it still needs to be talked about! if Skip and Shannon didn’t have a rift caused by Skip, they’d by FAR have the best lineup of sports shows on television.

[@jamesweldon8118]

Pat is the best thing to happen to media, not just sports media, in a long long time

[@deaddropholiday]

McAfee and Stephen A. This much talent hasn’t been under one roof since NASA and the moonshot.

[@shicrapt]

The only sad part about Norby exiting is that he probably received a $100M severance package.

[@chemerikae]

I know Dan mentioned he was fine with Skipper, but how does he not see his blind spots now that he partnered with the guy who was supposed to be in charge of the person who was controlling/manipulating what Dan could and could not do on air?

[@DAILYBLUNTATHON]

The people want NHL at Oakland Arena because major league cities deserve big time sports

[@dreamcage1801]

Not gonna happen. Put an NHL team in San Diego instead.

[@DAILYBLUNTATHON]

@@dreamcage1801As far as I know San Diego is satisfied with the San Diego Gulls.

[@dreamcage1801]

@@DAILYBLUNTATHON stan kroenke said recently that he wants a NHL team in SD.

[@nachobroryan8824]

They could call the team the Oakland Seals.

[@DAILYBLUNTATHON]

@@nachobroryan8824DOWN

[@joshbergemann5498]

Media is going back to its roots. The Host makes the show. Not the producers telling the host what to plug.

[@thizlam4810]

Norby Williamson also didn’t like that Stuart Scott said “Boo-yah!”

[@curtisbowles9894]

Take the Fernandez jersey down I don't think he's someone we should celebrate.

[@rodgyv9790]

Dudes pretty proud of his little sports media talk song...lol.

[@chrisstewart9722]

I care dan that's why i watch

[@thejayiyer]

1:48 why does Dan have multiple $100 bills on him?? 👀😂

[@petern326]

Your name being Norby is crazy

[@JonathanTully001]

It's like the opposite of Burke.

[@alexvelez9197]

Long live King Roy

[@JordanBrown-ge9tn]

It’s interesting to me, Dan. Let my boy cook

[@robertmaloney567]

Tell us why the ESPN mean girls hate Caitlin. We probably know but would like your take...

[@michaelvincent7115]

Magnus. Also the name of the best chess player in the world

[@Ace-v6r]

Of all time

[@effie4903]

I watch Dan for the dirt, basically. I feel a little called out :P

[@LeBatardShow]

nah, we're happy you're here.

[@brianhurley8617]

Good lord. This show is a wreck, with the great Dan. Dude, please slim down the voices and talk, we love your opinions.

[@mw3bb9]

People follow this because ESPN production sucks. I used to leave ESPN all day. Since Mike& Mike , high questionable, all the good radio guys that at different networks. Now I don’t even turn it on. Stephan A. is only seem excellent because all the talent is gone.

[@brightnewideas2183]

Jealous much Dan?

[@lestercombs1871]

Good job Pat

[@9tailskyle]

Pat from the top rope!

[@claycassin8437]

Sage Steele is the only sane person who has worked there in the last ten years.

[@CatNip555]

Football on espn is power! Pat + college game day + his show = ratings football football football. Steven A will be gone soon too nobody wants to talk basketball 24/7 like they do football follow the money guys

[@tkpaul5865]

I ONLY watch the inside baseball (media) clips now because I get tired of listening to Dan's crew be such assholes to Dan. They seem smart and fun, but not at all understanding that what came before them matters.

[@lepton4]

I care about this stuff...keep it coming

[@MauriceHeslep]

Damn you have a ton of views and subscribers lol

[@1VetsVision]

Also, you have or will never be as big as Pat McAfee. You can't say that you should have done such in his situation because you have never been on the level he is at right now. No disrespect but the Dan Le batard show was never huge on ESPN. It was just a filler show. Let's be real here. Can't rewrite history

[@xxphactor]

Whenever you do Sports Media talk, can you send the kids to their mama, so we can hear a serious discussion without the stupid ass interruptions?

[@bigdnrv1562]

ESPN just got even dumber.

[@dreamcage1801]

I hope the NBA leaves ESPN

[@cs292]

It like that 50year old skater dude at MYV..it’s sad.

[@JohnSmith-vy7ck]

Dan sounds jealous of Pat. Fortune favors the bold. Dan wasn’t Bold. He was vanilla .

[@rileykeith5935]

Hahaha poor Dan is salty!

[@BuffdatRatt]

Ellis Burke

[@Killerjy]

I love Pat mcafee

[@jacobball8422]

I care about the sports media content

[@dmurphy1578]

Hahahahaj. Pat took him out!?!?!?

[@luischacon2087]

He shouldn't be afraid of anyone. Pat just wants to win. If you cross him, he is not going to be a good boy. He is going to call you out.

[@Masayoshibreezin]

Fued

[@brucybabyy7355]

Shorsey !

[@dgallaher25]

I care about this topic

[@sandaliovirenees6991]

Let’s be honest. It’s literally just Pat. Pat generates so much views and likes. SAS don’t have no where near the power Pat has. ESPN is literally about to let him walk. SAS is the only one that thinks he gots juice. Theres a reason he made the call to get Shannon because he himself knows he can’t compete at all next to Pat.

[@michaelcerrone8403]

I care Dan

[@dallas1love]

Dan Le Batard running his " show " like Harvey Levin runs his TMZ show is ridiculous. Somehow he landed on my feed, but every time I listen I wonder why I just wasted precious minutes of my time. This show says nothing and is about nothing. Why they are paying him big dollars is beyond me.

[@winebuyah]

GONG!!!! you don't get the show....

[@dallas1love]

@@winebuyah Wouldn't want my IQ to have to descend that low. Enjoy your show! I have it blocked from my feed!

[@215thestandard]

This is becoming an obsession that needs to end

[@thomasmcmaster3016]

Everything you always wanted

[@mattmason1380]

Just like pro wrestling is not cool, sports media talk is not cool. It's talking about the people who talk about people playing sports, snoozeville.

[@boco1951]

ESPN hired McAfee cause they work cheap! They probably work for beer and Dominos. ESPN has really gone down in the last couple of years!

[@carpedm5107]

I want the dirt... lol Why is Molly still on First Take?!?!

[@WillHaupert]

These guys are obsessed with whats going on at espn get over it and move on

[@briancain734]

Yet you're watching / listening. Get over it and move on.

[@randylittlebatfleck3539]

@briancain tells us how much of a groupie you are for people who don't you?