ESPN President Understands Pat McAfee Is Worth The Headache | Bobby Burack

ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro supported Pat McAfee on stage during the Axios What's Next Summit Tuesday in Washington D.C. He credited McAfee for his "authenticity" and "moving the needle" in an uber-competitive media environment.

Hear from Pitaro below:

McAfee has embroiled himself in controversy at ESPN for much of the past four months.

The oft-cited Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel spat originated via his program. He called ESPN exec Norby Williamson a "rat" on ESPN in January.  McAfee recently engaged in a heated phone call with Stephen A. Smith, ESPN's biggest star, over a disagreement about Smith's upcoming production project.

Thus, the question begs: is McAfee worth the perpetual headache? 

We sought to answer that question earlier this month, arriving at the conclusion that the answer depends on who's answering the question. 

Specifically, the answer depends on how one measures McAfee's success.

Pat McAfee is not worth the risk in terms of linear television viewership. At least not yet. His daily program lags well behind its lead-in "First Take." 

During the football season, McAfee's show declined double digits from "SportsCenter" in the same time slot one year ago.

However, McAfee is the biggest draw ESPN has digitally. He's arguably the second-biggest draw online in sports media, trailing only Barstool founder Dave Portnoy.

"The Pat McAfee" show also streams live on YouTube simultaneously with its television airing. According to the Wall Street Journal, McAfee's show has logged more than 340 million YouTube views since his ESPN debut in September, helping increase ESPN’s YouTube viewership by 12 percent.

And here's the kicker: the coveted 18 to 34-year-old demographic accounts for 60 percent of McAfee's YouTube audience.

Notice what Pitaro referenced when supporting McAfee on stage: the elusive "younger demographic" and "audience expansion."

Pat McAfee has already expanded ESPN's audience via YouTube with sports fans under 34, an age demographic less inclined to subscribe to a cable package that includes ESPN.

PAT MCAFEE WILL BE BRINGING THE PAT MCAFEE SHOW TO ESPN

Simply put, Pat McAfee is the epitome of New Media, an edgier, less produced, and mercurial presentation. 

The very thought of his being forces the Old Media brigade to cringe. He will never be worth the migraine for old-school, out-of touch television executives like Norby Williamson. He will unfailingly infuse jealousy from less-singular media talents.  

But none of that matters.

ESPN invested $85 million to license "The Pat McAfee Show" over five years. At that number, the only opinions that matter are those of Jimmy Pitaro and Disney CEO Bob Iger.

McAfee claims both men are fans of his. 

As we argued earlier this month, ESPN now struggles to build transcendent, star personalities. Stephen A. Smith was its last, back in 2015. Therefore, ESPN reached outside to buy one in McAfee last summer.

Meaning, Pat McAfee doesn't have to adjust to the standard rules of ESPN. Rather, ESPN has to adjust to the ways of Pat McAfee. 

Jimmy Pitaro's comments on Tuesday confirm he's willing.