AT&T’s “What a Pro Wants” commercial is already in the running for the most annoying, criticized and hated commercial in recent memory.
The commercial, featuring Oklahoma City Thunder stars Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has run countless times during the NBA playoffs, and has been savagely trashed on social media. (In case you’ve somehow missed it, congratulations, you’re one of the lucky ones. But if you’re curious, here’s a link).
The ad came under fire on Thursday’s edition of The Pat McAfee Show. McAfee and ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst seemed uncertain what the commercial is even advertising.
“I suppose it’s a victory for the commercial director because everybody talks about it,” Windhorst said.
“See, this is the old ‘any numbers are good numbers,'” McAfee interrupted. “I don’t even know what that’s for. Do you know what that’s for?”
“I think it’s AT&T or something like that,” Windhorst said.
“See, you don’t even know,” McAfee said.
“I will say that, I am afraid to know what the cutting room floor looks like. Those were the takes that they took!” Windhorst joked.
McAfee pounded the table, laughing.
“I have to assume that those guys … by the way, those guys have excellent agents, I assume that they saw the footage and said, ‘We’ve got a winner!'” Windhorst continued.
“It’s not about the commercial, if that’s shown only like 10 times, I think it’s good. It’s been shown 1,500 times,” McAfee said. “It’s like being played every single commercial break.”
Brian Windhorst was asked about the “What a pro wants” AT&T commercial that has haunted sports fans the last two months.
“I am afraid to know what the cutting room floor looks like. Those were the takes that they took!” pic.twitter.com/4e9ZMaJCzR
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 9, 2024
Windhorst and McAfee then debated the amount of money AT&T had invested in the “What a Pro Wants” commercial, throwing around the term “nine figures.”
“Somebody signed off on that, and do you know what? They’re probably getting a bonus,” Windhorst concluded.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.