Derek Jeter and McAfee clash with ESPN over controversial athlete rankings

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 31, 2025, 05:51 IST

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Derek Jeter and McAfee clash with ESPN over controversial athlete rankings (Image Source: Jeter/ Instagram)

In one recent event that shook the sports world, New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter voiced his outrage over ESPN's most recent 100 greatest 21st-century players list. This was followed by ESPN commentator Pat McAfee going public on-air in his criticism of the network rankings, fueling additional controversy around the motivations and bias involved behind such rankings.

Controversial rankings and Pat McAfee's reaction

ESPN's ranking placed several prominent players with exceptional performances in positions that most observers and fans were surprised by and wondering about. In particular, NBA legend Steve Nash was listed at No. 51, and Derek Jeter at No. 53.
The rankings caused outrage across the sporting world, with the majority wondering how the list was created. Pat McAfee had no qualms about giving criticism for the list. In an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," he called the rankings.

“It is the epitome of everything that everybody hates about ESPN... what a shitshow.” and spoke about the significant gap between what people think and the ratings of the network.

Derek Jeter's outrage at the rankings

Derek Jeter's outrage over the rankings is emblematic of a broader issue with how players are reported on and graded by the mass media. Having founded "The Players' Tribune" in 2014, Derek Jeter has been a staunch believer that players must have a different and secure platform where they can tell their own stories without any interference from media people.
This logic sheds light on Derek Jeter's anger at ESPN rankings since they do not always reflect the level of penetration of athletes in and outside of their sport. The hot debate is over the age-old fight between athletes who desire honest representation and the media in their quest for compelling stories.
As numerous talks are going on, this occurrence reminds one of the evolving relationships between athletes and the media. Greater emphasis is being put on more respectful and inclusive evaluations that honor the entire scope of athletes' achievements.
Also Read: MLB Icon Derek Jeter Turns Heads At The 2024 Reserve Cup Series Games

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About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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