ESPN is under fire again. This time, it’s because of Monica McNutt’s actions.
It should be noted that McNutt was already under fire recently after criticizing Caitlin Clark’s “accountability” and “self-awareness.” Now McNutt is in the news again, and what she did is getting ESPN blasted all over social media.
ESPN Ripped for McNutt’s Manicure on TV
During a recent appearance on ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’, McNutt could be seen in a beauty salon chair, getting a manicure. That didn’t sit well with viewers.
Immediately, a commenter asked, “How are we suppose to take Monica McNutt serious when she’s on ESPN getting a manicure while reporting. Smh.”
How are we suppose to take Monica McNutt serious when she’s on ESPN getting a manicure while reporting. Smh pic.twitter.com/brt5hd0KHn
— Jaime Lardis (@JaimeLardis) July 31, 2026
One spectator even suggested that “ESPN must be trying to lose viewers at this point.”
“ESPN must be trying to lose viewers at this point.”
ESPN must be trying to lose viewers at this point. https://t.co/fQXod6dsNZ
— Matt (@SkillGameNBA) July 31, 2026
Another commenter from X said, “ESPN is a joke.”
ESPN is a joke https://t.co/1Jm4Nyj6fY
— WESŦ ŦEXAS VILLAN (@WTXVILLAN) July 31, 2026
One X user said, “This is really unprofessional.”
This is really unprofessional https://t.co/uywnvVe3TB
— Chris_J (@Shoesnsports_) July 31, 2026
Another commenter went so far as to call ESPN “out of touch.”
“ESPN so out of touch they think ppl actually enjoy watching this slop.”
ESPN so out of touch they think ppl actually enjoy watching this slop https://t.co/ZZ3rfJCJiF
— BakerMuse (@MuseBaker) July 31, 2026
But not everyone agreed with the heat that McNutt was taking. Some even thought it was “cool as [expletive].”
“Not gonna lie. This is some of the flyest [expletive] that you could do as a reporter. Cool as [expletive]. Shoutout to McNutt.”
Not gonna lie. This is some of the flyest shit that you could do as a reporter. Cool as fuck.
Shoutout to McNutt. https://t.co/TgK6PSIWsX
— Michael Sykes, II (@MikeDSykes) July 31, 2026
Meanwhile, O.J. Spivey commended McNutt for her appearance, “multitasking and looking fly” in the process.
“Black woman multitasking and looking fly doing so. 👌🏾”
Black woman multitasking and looking fly doing so. 👌🏾 https://t.co/3csLSMUaeP
— O.J. Spivey (@OJPhilly) July 31, 2026
One Knicks account pleaded with people to “Stop attacking Monica.”
Former Indiana University head coach Dan Dakich also delivered his unfiltered opinion. “Amazing how much [ESPN] has lowered standards,” he said.
“If Kendrick Perkins was getting a shape up during a segment on ESPN everyone would praise it and think it was the funniest thing ever. Stop attacking Monica, this is getting ridiculous.”
If Kendrick Perkins was getting a shape up during a segment on ESPN everyone would praise it and think it was the funniest thing ever
Stop attacking Monica, this is getting ridiculous https://t.co/pC5ockCFv1
— Alex B. (@KnicksCentral) July 31, 2026
Another commenter praised McNutt for being a “champion AND a queen.”
“She’s a champion AND a queen.”
She’s a champion AND a queen. https://t.co/xjAvjutLGM
— Madyson (@Majorleaguemadd) July 31, 2026
In general, the public seems split on whether McNutt should have taken a few moments to find a better location to provide her insight. Meanwhile, others thought it was just about the coolest thing they’ve seen on TV.
Still, the guess here is that McNutt will be asked to avoid similar situations in the future, simply because they may not welcome the criticism.
