Dan Patrick Claims Espn Launched A 'smear Campaign' After He Parted Ways With The Network

Former longtime ESPN sportscaster Dan Patrick says he was nan target of a "smear campaign" by nan web aft he made nan difficult determination to move connected and commencement his ain task aft astir 2 decades pinch nan media giant. 

Patrick, big of "The Dan Patrick Show," made nan allegation during a caller quality connected nan Barstool podcast, "Pardon My Take." He said aft his determination to time off "SportsCenter" successful 2007, he believed location were attempts by nan web to sandbag his caller start.  

Dan Patrick earlier nan Super Bowl betwixt nan New England Patriots and nan Philadelphia Eagles astatine U.S. Bank Stadium Feb. 4, 2018. (John David Mercer/USA Today Sports)

"Oh, frightening," Patrick recalled of his determination to locomotion away, "Because location was this smear run that started. Any power connection that had my show, you’d beryllium dropped arsenic an ESPN connection if you decided you still wanted to transportation me."

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Despite nan effort to undermine his success, Patrick said he "understood" nan move. He moreover claimed to beryllium "empowered" by it. 

Michael Finley of nan San Antonio Spurs celebrates arsenic he is interviewed by ESPN's Dan Patrick aft a 83-82 triumph against nan Cleveland Cavaliers successful Game 4 of nan NBA Finals astatine nan Quicken Loans Arena June 14, 2007, successful Cleveland.  (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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"It was heavy-handed, but I understood. It empowered me. Like, ‘Holy, s---. I’m gonna matter. They’re gonna person to woody pinch me.’"

Patrick, 69, worked for ESPN from 1989 until 2006 and stayed pinch ESPN Radio until 2007. Many were shocked astatine nan clip by his determination to leave, paving nan measurement for his caller show. 

He besides claimed successful nan podcast that aft informing nan web of his decision, nan doorway unopen alternatively quickly. 

Patrick, 69, worked for ESPN from 1989 until 2006 and stayed pinch ESPN Radio until 2007. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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"It was quick.T hey wanted maine out," Patrick said.

Fox News Digital reached retired to ESPN for comment. 

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