Unveiling the Conundrum: Bob Iger's Challenge with Pat McAfee's ESPN Conspiracy Theories

Have you seen Bob Iger and Jimmy Pitaro? Let us know.

Disney and ESPN executives have remained notably quiet as sports personality Pat McAfee uses their platform to host a weekly conspiracy show with injured New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has used his regular appearances on ESPN to go on an extended, fact-free rant on a range of non-sports related topics, spreading medical misinformation and disparaging the media, even going as far as to rail against an ESPN executive live on air.

Rodgers still hasn't found the courage to publicly apologize to Kimmele, a trait he shares with Iger and Pitaro. None of them have spoken out as their late-night star's reputation is repeatedly being questioned on ESPN.

Instead of apologizing, Rodgers launched a bizarre rant, criticizing the ABC comedian for supporting the medical community and Dr. Anthony Fauci's recommendations during the pandemic.

Apart from repeatedly attacking Kimmel, it is troubling that Disney allows Rodgers to spread false information about vaccines and defame respected public health authorities like Fauci on its large platforms. This puts Disney, a well-known brand striving to avoid offense, in the company of Fox News, the only other major TV broadcaster that tolerates the irresponsible and unverified airing of such anti-intellectual content. Disney and ESPN are in a difficult position, as they face the challenge of reigning in prominent personalities such as McAfee and Rodgers, who are not actually employed by ESPN. ESPN only licenses McAfee's show and does not produce it, while Rodgers has no direct business relationship with the sports channel.

However, it was a bed that Iger and Pitaro willingly entered into when they formed a business relationship with McAfee and signed a substantial agreement (rumored to be worth $85 million) to expand it last year. McAfee remains unchanged, and neither Iger nor Pitaro should be surprised by the mess they are now handling.

The complexities of the problem do not prevent Disney from taking some form of public action. Iger and Pitaro are not completely powerless. While they may appear immobilized, there are definitely actions they can take to convey that the messaging from the "worldwide leader in sports" is unacceptable. Ultimately, it is their platform.

Pulling those levers and standing up for basic decency would take courage and backbone, even if it risks fracturing business relationships that Disney values. However, staying silent has so far been an ineffective strategy in handling the situation, and given the propensity for controversy from McAfee and Rodgers, the issues underlying this particular episode are likely to persist. Despite the current uproar possibly quieting down soon, Kimmel has brought attention to the show that will endure.

Iger and Pitaro have larger problems to deal with, such as bringing ESPN into the streaming future. They may have hoped this issue would resolve itself, but like a persistent headache, it is not going away.