ESPN accused of 'desecrating' The Masters with controversial coverage decision
ESPN accused of 'desecrating' The Masters with controversial coverage decision
Kylee HansenThu, April 9, 2026 at 8:29 PM UTC
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Social media fans are angry with ESPN after WWE wrestler was on the Masters broadcast -Credit:Getty Images (Getty Images)
ESPN is once again taking heat after one of the broadcaster featured a non-golf star prominently during its Masters coverage.
The Masters is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the sport. ESPN already was shut down by Augusta National Golf Club when they denied contributor Pat McAfee a studio spot on their grounds during the tournament.
During Thursday's opening round, viewers on social media were outraged after WWE wrestler Michael Gregory Mizanin, or The Miz, sat alongside longtime ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge during the Masters broadcast.
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“Just a continuation of how ESPN has degraded over a number of years,” wrote one user on X.
“I don't think ESPN actually employs golf analysts/personalities anymore. So they just take from what they have and these folks are all about it. Who wouldn't want to get paid to be at the Masters,” wrote another.
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Another angry social media user wrote, “ESPN has desecrated the Masters with their coverage this week.”
The Miz wasn't the only non-golf athlete on site this week. Jason Kelce was at Augusta for ESPN as a sideline reporter during the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday. He made his introduction on the broadcast in a caddie outfit, unfolding a lawn chair and talking noticeably loud at an otherwise quiet and calm course.
'The Miz' was seen on the Masters broadcast -Credit:Getty Images
The most prestigious event in golf approved for Kelce to be there — although it denied his fellow ESPN star McAfee and his broadcast crew — while Scott Van Pelt and Marty Smith performed more traditional interviews along the sidelines as Kelce wandered the grounds, and viewers on social media weren’t in favor of the retired NFL star being on their televisions.
"I’ll lose my mind if I see Jason Kelce hit a golf shot during this par 3 contest," one X user wrote. "Jason Kelce just absolutely brutal in his first appearance at Augusta," wrote another.
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Kelce's appearance started with him walking in the midst of fans, screaming about his lawn chair as the Par 3 Contest kicked off behind him. He unfolded a Masters lawn chair and sat down as the camera spun around him with patrons blatantly staring in awkward silence.
"1) Absolutely no one wants to hear or see from Jason Kelce during Masters week. Really bad choice to allow that. 2) It’s time for @LPGA ladies to have a go at your beautiful little piece of heaven. Not an exhib either. Full on battle," wrote someone else.
Source: “AOL Sports”
