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John Mellencamp-Pat McAfee beef, explained: ESPN personality responds to singer calling him out after Knicks-Pacers

Daniel Mader

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John Mellencamp-Pat McAfee beef, explained: ESPN personality responds to singer calling him out after Knicks-Pacers image

Nothing says the NBA playoffs like celebrity fan beef.

When teams like the Knicks, known for their collection of famed fanatics, make a deep playoff run, courtside celebrities become a significant talking point surrounding the postseason. But even on the other side of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, there are some notable celebrity Pacers fans — and two of them don't seem to be getting along very well.

Pat McAfee, the ESPN personality and known fan for all Indiana sports teams, and singer John Mellencamp, an Indiana native, had an online back-and-forth on Thursday, not long after the Pacers pulled within one win of the 2025 NBA Finals. 

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Here's why McAfee and Mellencamp weren't seeing eye-to-eye about how the ESPN personality treated the visiting Knicks during Game 4 of the ECF.

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John Mellencamp-Pat McAfee beef, explained

As the Pacers took on the Knicks on Tuesday night, a Game 4 in Indianapolis that eventually led to a 3-1 series deficit for New York, both McAfee and Mellencamp were sitting courtside. As has been the case for plenty of other Knicks playoff games, there were some celebrity Knicks fans on the sidelines, as well, including Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothee Chalamet.

McAfee, not far out of character for a media personality of his intense, outgoing nature, was given a microphone to speak to the Pacers' home crowd during the fourth quarter of the game, and he used that opportunity to call out the Knicks' celebrity fans in attendance, poking fun at the visitors as he rooted for his Pacers.

"Indianapolis, Indiana, we have some bigwigs from the big city in the building," McAfee said. "Spike Lee is here. Ben Stiller is here. Timothee Chalamet is here. Let’s send these sons of b—s back to New York with their ears ringing. Let’s turn this s— up!”

As McAfee named each of the three famous Knicks fans, the home crowd booed them.

McAfee, also known for being a WWE commentator, went full-on wrestling as he amped up the crowd in Indy. But at least one celebrity, Mellencamp, didn't appreciate the playful rant targeting opposing fans.

On Thursday, Mellencamp posted a statement to X about "somebody" who called out Knicks fans in attendance of Game 4, explaining how he didn't appreciate the targeted words or booing that followed.

"The Knicks/Pacers games have been very entertaining for anyone who likes basketball or sports. I attended Game 4 in Indianapolis. 'Hoosier Hospitality’ …I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team — and in turn, support our team," Mellencamp wrote.

"The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived here my entire life. On behalf of most Hoosiers, I would like to apologize for our poor behavior. I’m sure the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown.”

Mellencamp didn't name McAfee in his statement, but it was blatantly obvious that he was referring to McAfee's fourth-quarter rant to the crowd. So, the ESPN personality didn't use many words to fire back, posting on X: "I am 'somebody.'"

Stiller also later commented on McAfee's Game 4 address to the Indiana crowd about him, Lee, and Chalamet, saying on SNY's "The Putback" that when it happened, he "was a little bit like, ‘Whoa.’"

"The WWE aspect of it, I get it. It’s just not the way it happens in New York. He should come to the Garden for Game 5," Stiller said, per the New York Post. "I get it, it was fun. He was just trying to get the crowd riled up. It was a little bit out of the blue. It’s also like, 'Are we really doing the narrative of ‘Hicks versus Knicks’? Like the bigwigs from New York?' It just seems a little cartoonish. But then again, it goes with the WWE.”

On Friday, McAfee further responded to Mellencamp on his show, criticizing Mellencamp's issues with his antics.

"John, shut the f*** up," McAfee said in his rant. "You're trying to think you're going to bury me? I don't think so John! Hey Coug, Suck It buddy, and I hope I get a chance to see you real soon.  I think we're probably gonna be at the same place pretty soon. I don't want any of your bulls***, I don't like you, I know your name and I don't like you.

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader is a Content Producer for The Sporting News. He joined SN in 2024 as an editorial intern following graduation from Penn State University. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. Daniel grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.