Pat McAfee Calls Out Pirates Owner Bob Nutting on Live TV
PITTSBURGH — The frustrations surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates and their owner Bob Nutting are not new, but few have voiced them as passionately as Pat McAfee did during a recent live broadcast.
A Hometown Perspective
McAfee, a Plum, Pennsylvania native and lifelong Pirates supporter, took to the airwaves during ESPN’s College GameDay, which was hosted in Pittsburgh ahead of the highly anticipated clash between No. 22 Pitt and Notre Dame at Acrisure Stadium on November 15. With a deep-rooted love for his hometown team, he didn’t hold back in addressing the struggles of the franchise.
In his commentary, McAfee celebrated Pittsburgh’s rich sports culture, highlighting the Steelers and Penguins as exemplary representations of the city’s athletic spirit. However, he quickly pivoted to the Pirates, giving a nod to their standout pitcher, Paul Skenes, who had recently claimed the National League Cy Young Award. While he praised Skenes’s achievement, McAfee took a sharp turn, directing his ire at Nutting for the organization’s lack of financial commitment to fielding a competitive team.
Fans Join the Chorus
The palpable discontent among Pirates fans was evident as the crowd gathered behind McAfee began chanting “Sell the Team!” in unison.
“This is a damn good sports town, and you’d be right, pal,” McAfee declared. “We’ve got incredible history, not just in football and hockey, but also in baseball. Paul Skenes just won the Cy Young. He’s the best player in baseball, and that’s sick.”
Yet, amid the accolades for Skenes and the team’s potential, McAfee lamented the ownership’s unwillingness to invest in talent. “What’s going on with the Pirates is that they don’t spend any money, so they never actually win, you see. We’ve got Paul Skenes, so we would like to go on a historic run at PNC Park, the most beautiful ballpark in MLB.”
A Moment of Truth for the Pirates
McAfee’s impassioned remarks have likely resonated beyond the College GameDay set, marking one of the most significant moments of public discourse regarding the franchise on a national platform. The fervor of the fans and the weight of McAfee’s words reflect a growing sentiment that many in Pittsburgh have felt for years—a longing for a competitive and spirited Pirates team that aligns with the city’s proud sports legacy.
