Part 4/8:
The discussion implies that deeper racial undertones may be at play. Dakich’s reference to a “racial civil war” at ESPN positions McAfee as a representation of a white-driven narrative that some believe the predominantly African American contingent of ESPN talent resents. The contrast between McAfee's eye-catching success and Smith's established but arguably less independent brand raises questions about the friction between newer, self-sufficient media personalities and those who have prospered under the auspices of long-standing networks like ESPN.