Fans criticize ESPN for cutting tribute to co-founder Bill Rasmussen
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 6:00 PM
Last updated Aug 19, 2026
ESPN faced backlash after a tribute to co-founder Bill Rasmussen was abruptly cut off during First Take, just as the graphic was displayed. This occurred as the show transitioned to the Pat McAfee Show, which has drawn criticism for overshadowing traditional coverage. Fans expressed frustration over the perceived disrespect to Rasmussen, who recently passed away, citing it as indicative of ESPN's current priorities. While some defended McAfee, most reactions focused on the decision to not allow the tribute to air in full. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding ESPN's programming choices and McAfee's role within the network.
- •Bill Rasmussen co-founded ESPN in 1979 and recently passed away.
- •The tribute was cut short during a transition to the Pat McAfee Show.
- •Viewer reactions included accusations of disrespect towards Rasmussen.
- •Critics argue the decision underscores ESPN's focus on McAfee's appeal.
- •Some ESPN fans demand more traditional coverage and respect for the network's history.
- 10:02 PMYahoo Sports — ‘I Don’t Think I Had Anything To Do With It’ — Pat McAfee Blames ESPN’s ‘First Take’ for Bill Rasmussen Tribute Controversy
- 6:04 PMAwful Announcing — Pat McAfee explains circumstances leading to Bill Rasmussen tribute cutaway on ESPN - Awful Announcing
- 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — Pat McAfee explains circumstances leading to Bill Rasmussen tribute cutaway on ESPN
- 8:57 AMYahoo Sports — ‘He owns ESPN…’ Fans outraged as ESPN tribute to founder Bill Rasmussen cut off by Pat McAfee Show
"ESPN’s polarizing analyst Pat McAfee has been one of the most talked-about personalities in sports this month. McAfee continued to be the punching bag of the sports world when Tuesday’s segment of his show interrupted a visual tribute to ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen at the end of the “First Take” show.
"Just as ESPN shared a graphic paying tribute to co-founder Bill Rasmussen, who recently passed away, First Take’s hard out hit and cut to the start of the Pat McAfee show. McAfee has been a lightning rod for sports fans ever since his big-money deal to bring his show to ESPN was announced in 2022.
"Pat McAfee became a bit of a punching bag on social media on Tuesday, for really no fault of his own. News of ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen’s death broke in the late morning hours on the East Coast, giving the network’s marquee morning show First Take just a few short minutes at the end of the…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 10:02 PM‘I Don’t Think I Had Anything To Do With It’ — Pat McAfee Blames ESPN’s ‘First Take’ for Bill Rasmussen Tribute Controversy
ESPN’s polarizing analyst Pat McAfee has been one of the most talked-about personalities in sports this month. McAfee continued to be the punching bag of the sports world when Tuesday’s segment of his show interrupted a visual tribute to ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen at the end of the “First Take” show.
- Awful AnnouncingAug 19, 2026, 6:04 PMPat McAfee explains circumstances leading to Bill Rasmussen tribute cutaway on ESPN - Awful Announcing
Pat McAfee explains the circumstances that led to a botched handover from First Take after the Bill Rasmussen tribute on ESPN.
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 6:00 PMPat McAfee explains circumstances leading to Bill Rasmussen tribute cutaway on ESPN
Pat McAfee became a bit of a punching bag on social media on Tuesday, for really no fault of his own. News of ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen’s death broke in the late morning hours on the East Coast, giving the network’s marquee morning show First Take just a few short minutes at the end of the…
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 8:57 AM‘He owns ESPN…’ Fans outraged as ESPN tribute to founder Bill Rasmussen cut off by Pat McAfee Show
Just as ESPN shared a graphic paying tribute to co-founder Bill Rasmussen, who recently passed away, First Take’s hard out hit and cut to the start of the Pat McAfee show. McAfee has been a lightning rod for sports fans ever since his big-money deal to bring his show to ESPN was announced in 2022.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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