Tonight is Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, pitting the red-hot New York Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs. The pivotal game received even more attention after it was announced that President Donald Trump will be in attendance.
The Knicks have now won 13 consecutive playoff games and have a 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden. ESPN recently announced that Pat McAfee will host an alternate broadcast of Game 3, which drew plenty of negative reactions from the NBA world.
NBA World Rips ESPN for Alternate Finals Broadcast Hosted by Ex-NFL Player Pat McAfee
The alternate broadcast will feature McAfee and his normal crew plus former NBA players turned analysts Kendrick Perkins and Quentin Richardson. The alternate broadcast will be held courtside at Madison Square Garden and will be shown on ESPN.
McAfee is predominantly known for his football commentary, so the NBA world didn’t mince words when reacting to the news.
Podcaster Josh Billinson was blunt in his prediction for the audience’s interest in the alternate broadcast.
“We will not be watching,” he posted.
NBA analyst Parker Fleming questioned the move as well.
“Who is the demographic that says, ‘you know what this needs? Pat McAfee’ and why does keep being amplified in virtually any sport on the planet,” Fleming wrote.
Who is the demographic that says “you know what this needs? Pat McAfee” and why does keep being amplified in virtually any sport on the planet https://t.co/ZyZPqyqc3d
— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) June 7, 2026
“The hardest of hard passes,” another podcaster posted.
One influencer questioned why former football players are showing up in basketball broadcasts in both college basketball and the NBA.
“I don’t care about Pat McAfee’s thoughts on NBA. Amazing how football players can break into hoops space so easily … saw USA Network is gonna have Ryan Leaf on CBB games … who asked for any of this?” they wrote.
Sports radio host Tom Kelly questioned ESPN’s decision to put McAfee on a crucial NBA Finals game.
“I’m honestly curious who out there is asking for more Pat McAfee?” Kelly posted.
I’m honestly curious who out there is asking for more Pat McAfee? https://t.co/cCnbebbrJW
— Tom Kelly (@TommyKelly44) June 8, 2026
One user called out ESPN for choosing McAfee and Co. to host the alternate broadcast over the “Inside the NBA” crew, who are only handling pregame, halftime, and postgame duties for ESPN.
“It should’ve been @ESPNNBA doing this with the Inside crew. [Nobody] wants to see Pat McAfee during basketball games @espn. How tone deaf are you?” they posted.
McAfee has previously hosted alternate broadcasts of the NFL Draft, but that made more sense given his NFL ties.
“ESPN going to have a 24/7 Pat McAfee channel at this rate,” one user wrote.
The Knicks are chasing their first NBA title since 1973 on the back of one of the most dominant playoff runs in recent memory.
On the other hand, talented forward Victor Wembanyama and the young San Antonio Spurs are trying to win their first title in 12 years after defeating the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in a grueling seven-game Western Conference Finals series.
