{
  "id": 1771775,
  "title": "‘First Take’ tribute to Bill Rasmussen abruptly interrupted by ‘Pat McAfee Show’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/first-take-tribute-to-bill-rasmussen-abruptly-interrupted-by-pat",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T18:32:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/first-tribute-bill-rasmussen-abruptly-183205034.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen passed away on Tuesday, just before the 10 a.m. ET start time of \"First Take.\" Co-host Courtney Cronin announced the news and spoke briefly about Rasmussen's impact, but was interrupted when Pat McAfee's show began. McAfee, who had no involvement in the interruption, simply welcomed viewers to his program. This incident has raised questions about ESPN's priorities, with McAfee seeming to dominate the network's attention. Despite the awkward transition, ESPN appears to have no choice but to accommodate McAfee, who is appearing everywhere, from the president to \"College GameDay.\" McAfee's new album has received mixed reactions, but he is becoming a household name at ESPN. His presence is so pervasive that even Kirk Herbstreit suggested incorporating his songs into \"GameDay.\" The network's contract with McAfee reportedly pays him more than any NBA player. In this new reality, McAfee is always there, and ESPN may not have much control over his expanding influence.",
  "summary": "Pat McAfee is inevitable at ESPN.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/espn-co-founder-bill-rasmussen-dies-at-93-from-the-effects-of",
        "published": "2026-08-18T16:33:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from the effects of Parkinson’s disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/espn-co-founder-bill-rasmussen-dies-at-93-from-the-effects-of-1753611",
        "published": "2026-08-18T16:42:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "ESPN Founder Dies After Battle With Parkinson's Disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/espn-founder-dies-after-battle-with-parkinsons-disease",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:16:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Bill Rasmussen family and net worth in focus after his death: All on ESPN founder wife and children",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/bill-rasmussen-family-and-net-worth-in-focus-after-his-death-all-on",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:18:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen dies at 93 from Parkinson’s disease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/espn-founder-bill-rasmussen-dies-at-93-from-parkinsons-disease",
        "published": "2026-08-18T18:48:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}