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Todd McShay Says ESPN Is Blocking Any On-Air Reunion With Mel Kiper Jr.

The former ESPN draft analyst voiced the claim on his Ringer podcast, portraying the network’s motive as avoiding reminders of the duo’s past chemistry.

Overview

  • McShay said ESPN has refused to allow him and Mel Kiper Jr. to appear together on any platform, including as a guest on his Ringer show.
  • He characterized the alleged decision as "petty" and rooted in insecurity, asserting the network cannot recreate their on-air dynamic.
  • ESPN has not provided an on-the-record response in the cited reports, and Kiper has not publicly commented.
  • Field Yates is currently paired with Kiper on ESPN’s draft coverage, and McShay praised Yates personally while arguing the role requires a full-time scouting foil to challenge Kiper.
  • McShay and Kiper were ESPN’s primary draft duo for roughly 17 years before McShay was laid off in 2023.