Michael Cole pays off Pacers-Knicks bet with Pat McAfee in hilarious fashion
Two weeks ago, Pat McAfee and Michael Cole made a bet during “WWE Raw.” If McAfee’s Indiana Pacers defeated Cole’s New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Cole would have to announce a show in a tank top.
If New York came out on top, McAfee would be forced to provide color commentary in a suit and tie. This past Saturday, the Pacers defeated the Knicks in Game 6 to win the series and advance to their first NBA Finals since 2000. Cole didn’t wait long to pay off his bet. As the show opened on Netflix, McAfee reminded the audience of the bet. Cole slowly stood up out of his chair, took off his coat and underneath, revealed a Pacers T.J. McConnell jersey.
Oh, and here’s this nugget: WWE Raw is coming to you live from Tulsa, Okla. The Pacers opponent in the Finals? The Oklahoma City Thunder. So, when Cole revealed the tank top to be a McConnell jersey, he was booed — loudly.
CM Punk did come out to the ring shortly thereafter and hyped up the crowd about the Thunder being Finals bound. But the story here is Cole, who will have to call the action in an unfamiliar fit.
Top 10
- 1New
Top 25 College QBs
Ranking best '25 signal callers
- 2
Top 25 Defensive Lines
Ranking the best for 2025
- 3
Big Ten Football
Predicting 1st loss for each team
- 4Hot
College Football Playoff
Ranking Top 32 teams for 2025
- 5Trending
Tim Brando
Ranks Top 15 CFB teams for 2025
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Michael Cole on losing end of NBA bet with Pat McAfee
As for McAfee’s Pacers, they travel to Oklahoma City for Game 1 on Thursday. Neither team has ever won a Championship, making this an intriguing Finals matchup.
You have to think McAfee will be attendance at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse when the series shifts to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4. McAfee was a big part of the Pacers’ in-game production in the ECF, calling out New York celebrities. A back-and-forth with John Mellencamp ensued, but Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle appreciates the energy McAfee brings.
“We appreciate you, Pat,” Carlisle said Monday on McAfee’s show. “We appreciate you getting us going when you’re sitting courtside. It’s awesome. I don’t care what other people think. It’s good.”