Photo by: Submitted photo
Popular Pat McAfee Show Moving to ESPN This Fall
May 17, 2023 09:11 AM | Football, Blog
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The popular "Pat McAfee Show" is moving to ESPN this fall, the network announced yesterday via press release.
The news was first reported by New York Post sports media writer Andrew Marchand.
McAfee, a former standout West Virginia University punter and placekicker, has one of the most successful streaming programs on YouTube featuring an ensemble that includes former All-Pro linebacker A.J. Hawk, former standout WVU player Adam Pacman Jones and many of McAfee's longtime friends.
It's considered edgy and innovative and is wildly popular among younger viewers. Two years ago, McAfee signed a four-year deal with Fan Duel worth $120 million to produce the daily show and the Fan Duel logo appears prominently in the upper corner of the screen. His set is also adorned with West Virginia University sports apparel.
Although McAfee will be walking away from the remaining two years of his Fan Duel deal, the Post reports his new agreement with ESPN will be eight figures.
When the show transitions to ESPN this fall, the program will air live weekdays on ESPN, the ESPN YouTube Channel, the ESPN App and ESPN+.
He will also continue to contribute content on ESPN digital and social platforms and will remain an analyst on ESPN's College Football GameDay Show airing Saturdays in the fall.
Since retiring from professional football following an All-Pro season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, McAfee has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the sports media industry. He began with Barstool Sports and soon branched out to ESPN, FOX, DAZN, SiriusXM, Westwood One and professional wrestling.
McAfee, 36, and his wife recently welcomed a daughter and indicated to the Post that he wanted to take some of the behind-the-scenes burdens of producing a daily show off his plate. He will, however, continue to have full creative control over the show, including the usage of colorful language.
"Pat is a proven talent," ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. "He and his team have built The Pat McAfee Show into one of the most engaging programs in sports and all of media. It's a destination for athlete interviews and breaking news, and the centerpiece of a growing community of sports fans."
If McAfee does have full control of his show airing on the Disney Network, the Post speculates it could indicate some sort of licensing agreement with Disney.
When learning of McAfee's move to ESPN, ex-ESPN star Dan Le Batard tweeted, "Giant heartfelt congratulations to @PatMcAfeeShow. Don't let anyone change you."
Le Batard added, "You've built a beast. Don't let anyone tame it."
McAfee was recruited to West Virginia by former coach Rich Rodriguez and played on the Mountaineers' 2006 Sugar and 2008 Fiesta Bowl championship teams. The four-year starter accumulated 384 career points as a placekicker and totaled more than 5,500 yards as a punter.
He parlayed his college success into a nine-year NFL career with the Colts that included Pro Bowl appearances in 2014 and 2016.
McAfee is a native of Plum, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.
The news was first reported by New York Post sports media writer Andrew Marchand.
McAfee, a former standout West Virginia University punter and placekicker, has one of the most successful streaming programs on YouTube featuring an ensemble that includes former All-Pro linebacker A.J. Hawk, former standout WVU player Adam Pacman Jones and many of McAfee's longtime friends.
It's considered edgy and innovative and is wildly popular among younger viewers. Two years ago, McAfee signed a four-year deal with Fan Duel worth $120 million to produce the daily show and the Fan Duel logo appears prominently in the upper corner of the screen. His set is also adorned with West Virginia University sports apparel.
Although McAfee will be walking away from the remaining two years of his Fan Duel deal, the Post reports his new agreement with ESPN will be eight figures.
When the show transitions to ESPN this fall, the program will air live weekdays on ESPN, the ESPN YouTube Channel, the ESPN App and ESPN+.
He will also continue to contribute content on ESPN digital and social platforms and will remain an analyst on ESPN's College Football GameDay Show airing Saturdays in the fall.
Since retiring from professional football following an All-Pro season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, McAfee has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the sports media industry. He began with Barstool Sports and soon branched out to ESPN, FOX, DAZN, SiriusXM, Westwood One and professional wrestling.
McAfee, 36, and his wife recently welcomed a daughter and indicated to the Post that he wanted to take some of the behind-the-scenes burdens of producing a daily show off his plate. He will, however, continue to have full creative control over the show, including the usage of colorful language.
"Pat is a proven talent," ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. "He and his team have built The Pat McAfee Show into one of the most engaging programs in sports and all of media. It's a destination for athlete interviews and breaking news, and the centerpiece of a growing community of sports fans."
If McAfee does have full control of his show airing on the Disney Network, the Post speculates it could indicate some sort of licensing agreement with Disney.When learning of McAfee's move to ESPN, ex-ESPN star Dan Le Batard tweeted, "Giant heartfelt congratulations to @PatMcAfeeShow. Don't let anyone change you."
Le Batard added, "You've built a beast. Don't let anyone tame it."
McAfee was recruited to West Virginia by former coach Rich Rodriguez and played on the Mountaineers' 2006 Sugar and 2008 Fiesta Bowl championship teams. The four-year starter accumulated 384 career points as a placekicker and totaled more than 5,500 yards as a punter.
He parlayed his college success into a nine-year NFL career with the Colts that included Pro Bowl appearances in 2014 and 2016.
McAfee is a native of Plum, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.
TV Highlights: WVU 59, Cincinnati 54
Friday, February 06
Ross Hodge, Honor Huff & D.J. Thomas | Cincinnati Postgame
Friday, February 06
Mark Kellogg | Feb. 4
Thursday, February 05
United Bank Playbook: Cincinnati Preview
Wednesday, February 04
