Overview of PMS 2.0 1582 from the ESPYs
Pat McAfee and the crew broadcast live from the ESPYs launch in New York City, turning the show into a fast-moving mix of sports talk, celebrity check-ins, and comedy. The episode centered on celebrating sports at the highest level, with a packed guest list that included Justin Gaethje, Matthew Tkachuk, Charlie McAvoy, The Miz, Chris Berman, Jake Paul, Max Mendoza, Terence Crawford, Mike Tyson, and AJ Hawk. Along the way, they broke down the MLB All-Star festivities, debated soccer/World Cup betting angles, and previewed the ESPYs itself.
Biggest Guest Moments
Justin Gaethje
- Talked about life as a champion, the attention that comes with big wins, and how fighting inspires other athletes.
- Reflected on the mental and physical grind of combat sports, including sparring, recovery, and staying sharp after major fights.
- Discussed how much respect fighters deserve because of how dangerous the sport is.
- Confirmed he is enjoying the post-fight phase but still stays ready with teammates and training partners.
Matthew Tkachuk & Charlie McAvoy
- Celebrated their gold-medal success and the feeling of being recognized as world champions.
- Talked about the honor of being up for ESPYs best team and how meaningful it is to represent USA hockey.
- Discussed the grind of hockey offseason training, the physicality of the sport, and how competitive practices can be.
- Tkachuk also joked about his brother Brady joining him in Florida and the “first fight” energy that comes with that.
- They emphasized the pride they felt hearing fans thank them for what they accomplished.
Chris Berman
- Reflected on his ESPN legacy and the evolution of sports media from the cable TV era to the instant-news age.
- Described how SportsCenter used to be “tomorrow’s paper today,” and how ESPN helped shape modern sports coverage.
- Shared that the biggest thing that hasn’t changed is the mentality of elite athletes: the great ones always want more.
- Spoke warmly about being part of ESPN’s history and helping build the network into a sports institution.
The Miz
- Brought the usual high-energy chaos, talking golf, WWE, SummerSlam, and his red-carpet/ESPN duties.
- Joked about taking a sack from A.J. Hawk and fumbling a snap during one of the day’s bits.
- Promoted his role with American Gladiators season two and leaned into his “must-see” personality.
- Kept the segment playful and self-aware, with plenty of trash talk and wrestling-style showmanship.
Jake Paul
- Promoted his W grooming/lifestyle brand, explaining the “W” is about turning losses into wins.
- Said he is definitely still fighting and is in talks for his next opponent.
- Floated a wide range of potential future opponents, including Floyd Mayweather, The Rock, John Cena, and Brock Lesnar.
- Discussed his jaw recovery, his transition toward potential MMA involvement, and his ongoing work with MVP.
- Said he’s still committed to combat sports, but only if the matchup makes sense.
Max Mendoza
- Appeared as a young, confident sports-media-in-training personality with big broadcaster energy.
- Said he wants to take over Pat’s job someday and is already eyeing a future in sports broadcasting.
- Mentioned rowing as his sport and said he’s losing some of his Spanish, which the crew immediately told him to keep.
- Delivered a polished, funny on-camera moment that fit the ESPYs atmosphere perfectly.
Terence Crawford
- Reiterated that he’s undefeated, has never been knocked down, and has never had a judge rule against him.
- Said he feels great about retirement and intends to stay retired unless something extraordinary comes along.
- Talked about how he wants to hurt opponents in the ring while still respecting the sport and the craft.
- Explained that he’d consider spectacle-style fights only if they made sense and didn’t compromise his body.
- Was celebrated as one of boxing’s all-time greats and received a fake-on-purpose ESPY bit that the crew later clarified.
Mike Tyson
- Spoke about being at a point in life where everyone is friendly and respectful.
- Promoted the Mike Tyson Invitational, an amateur boxing event designed to give young fighters opportunities regardless of finances.
- Said the event started with over 1,000 signups and has now grown massively.
- Reflected on how access and opportunity shaped his own development as a fighter.
- Joked about not wanting more awards and instead enjoying the moment as a presenter and boxing elder statesman.
Sports Talk and Betting
MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby
- The crew recapped the All-Star Game, noting the American League’s early three-run first inning and Cody Bellinger’s MVP showing.
- They discussed how modern All-Star Games are dominated by relievers and more low-intensity, showcase-type action.
- The Home Run Derby was treated as the more important event for entertainment value.
- They praised the overall MLB weekend but acknowledged that the All-Star Game itself can feel light on drama.
England vs. Argentina / Messi vs. Jude Bellingham
- The show spent a lot of time on a “Trust the Stars” DraftKings boost tied to Messi and Jude Bellingham.
- Pat, AJ, and Gumpy debated England’s chances, Argentina’s style, and how Messi still manages to dominate despite walking most of the game.
- The crew leaned into the idea that this matchup could get cagey, physical, and penalty-heavy.
- The boosted angle they pushed was Messi to score or assist and Jude Bellingham to score or assist.
Main Themes
- Celebration of sports at the highest level: The episode was built around the ESPYs and the idea of honoring elite athletes across every sport.
- Respect for elite performers: Whether it was Berman on media, Gaethje in combat sports, or Tkachuk/McAvoy in hockey, the show emphasized what it takes to be great.
- The entertainment of live chaos: The Miz, Jake Paul, Tyson, and the crew all fed into the loose, funny, anything-can-happen live-show energy.
- Legacy and access: Berman and Tyson both touched on how sports media and sports opportunity have changed over time.
- Young talent coming up: Max Mendoza represented the next generation of on-camera sports talent.
Notable Takeaways
- The ESPYs were presented as a true “who’s who” of sports and entertainment.
- Chris Berman remains a towering figure in sports media history and still has strong opinions on what makes elite athletes special.
- Justin Gaethje, Terence Crawford, Mike Tyson, and Jake Paul each reinforced how much combat sports combines discipline, danger, and spectacle.
- Hockey was strongly represented, with Tkachuk and McAvoy embodying both championship pride and offseason grind.
- The show’s tone was classic Pat McAfee: irreverent, star-studded, and built around celebrating sports while joking the entire way through.