When ESPN placed a big bet on a new star, Pat McAfee, to bring in young audiences with an edgy brand of sports-talk programming, the network knew the appointment carried risks. In recent days, they have been apparent. 

McAfee, an F-bomb-throwing former NFL punter whose show made its debut on ESPN in September, has been on the defensive since an appearance last week by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, a recurring guest on McAfee’s show, implied during the show that ABC talk show host Jimmy Kimmel had ties with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, accusations that Kimmel denied.