Ex-ESPN Star Trey Wingo Slams Network's Direction: From Buffet to Banquet

Former ESPN heavyweight Trey Wingo recently took to social media to throw a bit of shade at his old stomping ground, echoing a fan's nostalgia for the 'good old days' of the sports network. In a post on X, Wingo responded to a user lamenting the current state of ESPN, dominated by big personalities like Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee, rather than the diverse programming of yesteryear.

Wingo, with a career full of highlights from anchoring SportsCenter to hosting NFL Live, didn’t hold back. He described the shift at ESPN as going from a 'glorious buffet' of content—where viewers could pick and choose their flavor—to a limited 'banquet dinner' of just 'chicken or fish.' Ouch. That’s a metaphor that hits harder than a linebacker on game day.

While Wingo made it clear he still has fond memories and friends at the network, his critique reflects a broader sentiment among fans who miss the days when SportsCenter was the heartbeat of ESPN’s lineup, rather than sharing the spotlight with high-profile talk shows. Today, personalities like Smith, a longtime ESPN figurehead with his fiery takes on First Take, and McAfee, the ex-NFL punter turned podcast king, dominate the airwaves. McAfee’s even branched into College Gameday and WWE broadcasts, while feuding with network execs behind the scenes.

Since leaving ESPN in 2020, Wingo has kept busy with gigs at Caesars Sportsbook and Peacock, but his recent comments show he’s still got his eye on the game—and isn’t afraid to call out a fumble when he sees one. For many fans, his words might just be the rallying cry for a return to ESPN’s roots. Or at least, a little more variety on the menu.