# Dan Le Batard falsely claims ESPN hires only white people

> Le Batard falsely claims ESPN hires only white people after layoffs, but ESPN's hiring now includes 50% white talent.
- Title: Dan Le Batard falsely claims ESPN hires only white people
- Summary: Le Batard falsely claims ESPN hires only white people after layoffs, but ESPN's hiring now includes 50% white talent. ESPN has hired more diverse talent…
- Keywords: dan le batard, espn, joe buck, pat macafee, stephen a smith, mina kimes, nfl, dei, talent agents, media bias, racial equity, sports media
- Source: OutKick — https://foxnews.com/outkick-sports/dan-le-batard-falsely-claims-espn-only-hires-pays-white-people-bobby-burack
- Author: Bobby Burack
- Published: 2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dan le batard, espn, joe buck, pat macafee, stephen a smith, mina kimes, nfl, dei, talent agents, media bias, racial equity, sports media
## Le Batard's claim
Le Batard claims ESPN hires only white people after George Floyd, listing Joe Buck, Pat McAfee, and others as top earners.

> Since George Floyd, the company of ESPN and the country of the United States were promising some sort of change over the last five years.
## ESPN's reality
ESPN's highest-paid employee is Stephen A. Smith, a black commentator with a $100 million five-year contract extension.

> Last year, Smith signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension with the company.
## Hiring shift
After George Floyd, ESPN promoted mostly black employees, but now hires 50% white talent.

> ESPN has since recognized that this overtly racist approach was not sustainable.
## Le Batard's hypocrisy
Le Batard's company has only one black employee, while he criticizes ESPN for hiring white talent.

> You own your own media company, yet just one of your nearly 40 employees is black.
## Selective focus
Le Batard ignores black ESPN hires like Malika Andrews and Mina Kimes, who are now top talent.

> ESPN's most prominently promoted talent over the past year includes McAfee, Stephen A. Smith, and Mina Kimes.
## Hypocrisy history
Le Batard has employed Howard Bryant, arrested for domestic violence, and avoided asking Kamala Harris' husband about allegations.

> He has repeatedly declared zero tolerance for violence against women, despite once employing Howard Bryant.
## ESPN's diversity
ESPN now hires 50% white talent, including Joe Buck and Pat McAfee, after a shift from racial bias.

> ESPN has since recognized that this overtly racist approach was not sustainable.
## Le Batard's silence
Le Batard has not responded to OutKick's questions about his company's diversity and ESPN hires.

> Le Batard did not respond as of publication.
## False claim
Le Batard falsely claims ESPN hires only white people, ignoring black talent and his own company's lack of diversity.

> Dan Le Batard is a liar. He should not be taken seriously.
## Dei impact
ESPN executives may reconsider DEI priorities if they take Le Batard's claim seriously.

> Given their history, we wouldn't doubt it.
## Key takeaway

ESPN has hired more diverse talent since 2020, but Le Batard selectively highlights white hires to claim racial bias.