The NFL is full of passionate fans who live and breathe football, but the passion that some of the media members that cover it show doesn’t always translate in the best ways to the fans, players, and other media members who consume their content.
Whether it’s for their hot takes, controversial opinions, or just plain obnoxious personalities, there have been quite a few NFL media figures in recent years that have managed to earn the ire of fans across the country.
From the ones who seem to thrive on stirring the pot to those who just can’t stop putting their foot in their mouth, this list is sure to feature some names you love to hate.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it and see who made the cut!
Who are the most hated media members covering the NFL?
Jason Whitlock:
Jason Whitlock is a name that instantly sparks strong reactions from people—and rarely positive ones…
And you know what? If you are one of the unfortunate souls who pays attention to the ridiculousness he spews—it’s not hard to see why.
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Over the years, Whitlock has built a reputation as one of the most divisive figures in NFL media, largely due to his polarizing takes on race, politics, and social issues.
All of the things that no one wants to talk about when it comes to sports!
He often pushes divisive narratives not for the sake of insight, but for the sake of attention. Whitlock seems to thrive on stoking the flames…
Which is not what sports fans are interested in… Hard stop!
Emmanuel Acho:
Emmanuel Acho has quickly risen through the ranks of sports media, becoming a prominent voice in NFL coverage, but that rapid rise hasn’t come without its fair share of criticism… as Acho has drawn the ire of many fans, players, and media members.
Acho has all of the charisma and articulation needed to excel in media—and that is why he has become relevant… but his critics will tell you that his takes often lack depth and are biased—or worse… are intentionally provocative and divisive.
Many have accused him of pandering to popular—or, in some cases… unpopular opinion—rather than earnestly offering insightful, nuanced analysis.
To make matters worse, Acho’s delivery can come off as overly rehearsed… often to the point of being disingenuous.
The fact of the matter is that he prioritizes being a media personality over actually trying to deliver meaningful sports analysis.
He does have some supporters… but they are becoming increasingly few and far between as he has continued to double and triple down on his schtick in recent years.
Peter King:
There was a period of time when Peter King was one of the most respected names in NFL media—and… to his credit… he has built a career that has spanned decades.
But even legends aren’t immune to criticism, and King has certainly faced his share of detractors.
While his deep knowledge and insider access are undeniable, more often than not—these days, he skews towards a self-righteous tone with his content.
Whether it’s analyzing player conduct, league policies, or social issues… King’s columns often carry a tone that some readers find preachy or holier-than-thou.
And this has led to a perception, well, really—a reality, that King sees himself as the moral compass of the NFL, which doesn’t always sit well with fans who prefer their analysis served without a side of judgment.
Especially when he has had more than a couple of public missteps.
The egregious level of grandstanding and hypocrisy is a surefire way to become a target for criticism from both fans and fellow journalists.
Skip Bayless:
Skip Bayless is the poster child for polarizing media personalities, and that’s putting it mildly.
For years, Bayless has made a living off of being the guy you love to hate. His relentless criticism of some of the world’s top athletes, like LeBron James and Aaron Rodgers, has earned him a reputation as one of the most notorious hot-take artists in sports media.
This… makes sense—because let’s be real—Bayless is clearly more interested in stirring up controversy than in actually analyzing the game.
Bayless’s approach to sports commentary is all about pushing buttons.
He doesn’t just criticize—he eviscerates, but with arguments that are taken to extremes that border on absurdity.
Whether he’s questioning LeBron’s clutch gene or calling out Rodgers for not being “tough enough,” Bayless has a knack for getting under the skin of anyone unlucky enough to encounter him on the airwaves.
It isn’t just his opinions—it’s his delivery that really grates on people. He presents his arguments with such unyielding certainty that it’s almost impossible to take him seriously… But at the same time—you kind of have to… because he is so indignant!
Plus, his unwillingness to back down, even when he’s clearly off-base, has led many to see him as more of a provocateur than a credible analyst—and that certainly gets under peoples’ skin.
No one likes the guy who just wants to be the loudest voice in the room!
Unfortunately… In the end, Skip Bayless is one of those media figures who’s impossible to ignore.
Whether you’re tuning in to see what outrageous thing he’ll say next or just to watch him get dunked on by his co-hosts, Bayless is a master of generating attention—but it comes at the cost of being reviled by most of the public.
Colin Cowherd:
Colin Cowherd is another name that stirs up strong reactions in the world of sports media, and yet again, another one seems to thrive on it.
With his smooth delivery and spicy takes, Cowherd has carved out a niche for himself as the guy who’s never afraid to say what he thinks—even if it means alienating entire fan bases.
And, let’s be honest, that’s exactly what he tries to do, time and time again.
Cowherd’s MO is simple: take a strong stance and stick to it, no matter what.
His strategy is aided by his knack for making bold, sweeping generalizations that often feel more like calculated provocations rather than well-reasoned analysis—even if it comes at the cost of his reputation as a sports media member.
Darren Rovell:
Known primarily as a sports business reporter, Rovell has often found himself in the crosshairs of fans and fellow media members alike for his tone-deaf takes and obsessive focus on the financial aspects of sports.
While there’s no denying Rovell’s knowledge of the business side of the NFL, it’s his delivery and the often cold, numbers-driven perspective that rub people the wrong way.
If there is one guy who knows how to take all of the fun out of sports… it is Rovell!
And he always seems to do so at the worst times.
Whether it is a tragic event, an exciting win, or… whatever… Rovell is always quick to pivot to the potential economic impact and take attention away from where it ought to be, which many fans see as insensitive and out of touch with the human element of the situation.
Like it wasn’t bad enough that he has such uncouth takes… but of course he can’t help himself but to tweet out financial figures or business angles in moments when no one wants to hear, read, or see it.
His social media presence has also been a source of contention. He is an obsessive poster… and it is rarely good, as he is usually found sharing trivial or self-promotional content that is as egotistical as it is unenjoyable to consume.
This, combined with his somewhat robotic style of communication, makes him an easy target for criticism.
There’s no denying Rovell’s knowledge of the business side of the NFL, but his delivery and the often cold, numbers-driven perspective rub people the wrong way—especially when it comes to touchy subjects and delirious takes… like his weird Civil Rights “memorabilia” collection.
This painfully out-of-touch approach has led to a reputation of being disconnected from the core of what makes sports so impactful—the human stories—and, ultimately, a massive black hole where his popularity and cultural relevance could be.
Mike Florio:
Mike Florio, the founder of Pro Football Talk, is a divisive figure in NFL media because of the way that he “relentlessly pursues scandals and controversies.
His methods have earned him a reputation as one of the most disliked personalities in the industry—especially from fans of the teams and players that he is investigating.
Florio’s approach to covering the NFL often involves digging deep into the darker sides of the league—whether it’s player misconduct, league policies, or off-the-field issues… and while we’d agree that that work needs to be done—at times, he can get carried away and start making mountains out of molehills.
While some appreciate his investigative style, many fans and players find his constant focus on negativity exhausting and unnecessary—and his critics argue that he often sensationalizes stories to generate clicks and views, sometimes at the expense of fairness and context.
Plus—his tendency to jump on rumors and unverified reports has led to accusations of being more interested in breaking news than in getting the story right.
I mean, that’s why damn every person in New England still hates him.
Fans prefer analysts who balance their coverage with positivity and insight—rather than Florio’s approach—which skews toward tabloid journalism rather than sports reporting!
Very much not in the spirit of sports!
Mel Kiper Jr.:
Mel Kiper Jr. is the original NFL Draft guru, a man who’s practically synonymous with the annual spectacle of grading teams before they’ve even taken the field.
However, while Kiper’s enthusiasm for the draft is unmatched, his track record and intense persona have made him an unpopular figure in the sports world.
I think it is his uncanny ability to be dead wrong with the utmost confidence. Year after year, Kiper rolls out his bold predictions, and sure, some of them hit—but plenty don’t, and when they miss, they miss big.
And he is never too apologetic about it!
People take issue with his tendency to double down on his evaluations, even when it’s clear he’s off base.
Chris Simms:
Simms is notorious for dropping rankings that leave fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
Whether it’s placing an unproven rookie ahead of a future Hall of Famer or dismissing a star quarterback as overrated, Simms has a knack for making waves with his evaluations in a bad way.
The problem is that his rankings always feel so calculated and not at all like an honest analysis, which, understandably, leads many to accuse Simms of stirring the pot just for the sake of it.
But it’s not just his rankings that rub people the wrong way—it’s his demeanor, too.
Simms delivers his takes with a level of certainty that can come off as arrogant, especially when he’s dismissing the consensus opinions of other experts. This is especially irritating to the public because much of his career advancement, both in football and in the media, has been fueled by nepotism.
Fans may tune in to see what Simms has to say next, but c’mon… is that really what you want when they’re probably going to roll their eyes at the words that come out once he unleashes another head-scratching take?
Doug Gottlieb:
Doug Gottlieb is no stranger to controversy, so much so that his outspoken nature has made him one of the more polarizing figures in sports media.
He is known for his bold opinions and confrontational style, which, as you might’ve guessed, can irk people.
Gottlieb has frequently found himself in hot water with fans, fellow media members, and even athletes because of his willingness to push the envelope and stir the pot.
I think it is his habit of making incendiary comments that often cross the line from bold to outright offensive that really gets under the skin of his audience. Whether he’s questioning an athlete’s toughness, intelligence, or character, Gottlieb has a knack for hitting below the belt, and it never has the polish to land like some other members of the media who have similar approaches.
Gottlieb’s confrontational style isn’t limited to his on-air comments—he’s also been known to engage in heated social media exchanges with fans and other media personalities… which, again, is good for engagement, but isn’t earning him many votes in a popularity contest.
In a media landscape where authenticity and empathy are becoming increasingly valued, Doug Gottlieb’s abrasive and often insensitive approach feels out of place—and has helped to make him one of the least popular figures in the league.
