Seething ESPN viewers blast 'unwatchable' Monday Night Countdown after additions of Pat McAfee and Stephen A Smith: 'Who is asking for this?'

The 'Worldwide Leader in Sports' is reportedly spending between $80-86 million for the contracts of Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee. It seems that you cannot escape either face in ESPN's coverage of sports these days.

So, when fans tuned in to Monday Night Countdown in Week 2 before the game between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams, they were displeased to find Smith and McAfee sitting right next to each other on the desk.

McAfee has been a recent addition to the network's pre-game show for Monday Night Football, having been announced as a full-time member of the desk beginning this season.

However, Smith has not taken on a similar role – meaning he was brought on for a guest appearance at SoFi Stadium.

Sports fans have been complaining of oversaturation for both Smith and McAfee, saying they're inescapable. On Monday, those same complaints bubbled to the surface.

'Best way to ruin the pre-game show is to not only put Pat Mcafee on, but then add Stephen A. Smith,' wrote one user on X.

Another angry fan posted, 'WHO IS ASKING FOR MCAFEE AND STEPHEN A ON MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN? I NEED NAMES!!!'

'Using mute on the TV is not enough to silence these two loudmouths,' read another comment.

One post read, 'It was absolute overkill when McAfee went double duty joining Countdown. Now SAS for absolutely no credible reason. As a Giant fan, I’m heading to WFAN to Giant pregame. And btw, I don’t live in New York and thank goodness I have options.'

'It’s so BAD Stephen A and magafee are just unwatchable !!!! Damm it hurts my ears,' another detractor said.

One user pointed to McAfee and Smith as 'Two reasons I don't watch ESPN talking heads shows anymore.'

Smith is a constant presence on the company's airwaves, hosting 'First Take' across two hours while also appearing on his own radio show and NBA Countdown.

As for McAfee, his two-plus hour long show follows Smith's. He also appears on College GameDay and added Countdown to his workload as well.

Both of them also make plenty of appearances in commercials and advertisements for sports betting and other products and services.