Dan Patrick Slams ESPN for Knicks-Focused Commentary During Playoff Game Against Pacers: ‘How About Some Impartiality Here?’

Ahmad Austin Jr.May 20th, 2024, 4:36 pm
 

Sports radio host Dan Patrick took issue with the way ESPN covered Sunday night’s playoff game between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.

The network has received scrutiny for the way its on-air personalities talked about the game during the pre-game show and halftime. Much of the outrage centered on Stephen A. Smith, who had a camera following him as he arrived at Madison Square Garden as if he were one of the players.

Smith, who was reporting on the game, later brought director Spike Lee on camera as the two expressed their hopes for a Knicks win.

On Monday’s episode of The Dan Patrick Show, Patrick said he felt “embarrassed” for the network where he once worked.

“Now we turn our attention to ESPN’s New York Knicks,” Patrick said, “who lost in Game 7 to the Pacers. The Pacers did play in the game. I just want to let ESPN know. If you wanna buy into east coast bias, you have every reason to buy into ESPN’s east coast bias watching that game. How about some impartiality here? I was embarrassed for ESPN because it felt like it was all about the Knicks. Even at halftime, it was about the Knicks.

“The Pacers aren’t exciting. I get it. Not big names, not a sexy team — but you still have to cover the game! You gotta be fair. I don’t need a Stephen A. Smith arrival video. I don’t need a pep talk with him and Spike Lee! He doesn’t work for the Knicks! You work for ESPN. I was really surprised. And I didn’t care who won; but after that, I was rooting for the Pacers. I thought, ‘You know what? Let’s make this uncomfortable for you.'”

Watch above via The Dan Patrick Show.

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