Pat McAfee’s Rumor Blunder Sparks Outrage and Legal Threats in Sports Media Scandal

In a dramatic turn of events shaking the sports industry, Pat McAfee, host of ESPN’s "The Pat McAfee Show," ignited a firestorm by amplifying a false rumor about Mary Kate Cornett, an 18-year-old Ole Miss freshman, on February 26, 2025. The rumor, originating on YikYak the previous day, falsely claimed Cornett was involved in a salacious affair with her boyfriend and his father. McAfee’s casual discussion of the unverified story during an NFL Scouting Combine segment, alongside guest Adam Schefter, sent it viral, drawing ire and exposing the dark side of sports media influence.

The fallout for Cornett was swift and severe. Harassment forced her to abandon her dorm, switch to online classes, and endure a swatting incident at her Houston family home on February 27, 2025. Her emotional distress deepened as classmates taunted her online, and her family faced collateral damage—her 89-year-old grandfather received mocking calls, while her father, Justin Cornett, hired a private investigator. Represented by attorney Monica Uddin, Cornett is now weighing legal action against McAfee, ESPN, and others who profited, including via a memecoin tied to the rumor’s spread.

The incident has fueled debates over media ethics, spotlighting McAfee’s history of controversial remarks—like his retracted “White bitch” comment about WNBA star Caitlin Clark. Other personalities, including Antonio Brown and ESPN’s Doug Vaughn, also fanned the flames, amplifying the rumor’s reach. As of early April 2025, the sports world is grappling with the consequences, questioning the responsibility of influential figures with massive platforms—McAfee’s show boasts 2.8 million YouTube subscribers.

This scandal, blending personal tragedy with public spectacle, underscores the volatile intersection of sports, media, and social media, potentially setting the stage for legal precedents and tighter broadcasting standards. For now, Cornett’s fight for justice keeps the story simmering.