Pat McAfee has reached a deal with ESPN to bring “The Pat McAfee Show” to ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN’s YouTube channel.
McAfee has been appearing on WWE programming in some capacity since 2018. He had a memorable run in NXT, where he feuded with Adam Cole. McAfee then joined the WWE SmackDown commentary team in 2021. He also competed at both WrestleMania 38 and SummerSlam 2022. In September, WWE announced that McAfee was taking a hiatus, as he joined ESPN College GameDay. McAfee returned for one-off appearances with WWE at Royal Rumble 2023 and WrestleMania 39.
Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reports that McAfee reached a multimillion-dollar deal. The exact amount is unclear, but Marchand wrote that it’s more than eight figures. McAfee previously signed a four-year, $120 million deal with FanDuel.
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, the former NFL player confirmed that he signed a deal with ESPN, and it will begin in the fall.
“What I discovered in these negotiations that I represented us in, is what our show is what a lot of these suit-folk are now viewing as the future of daily sports talk,” McAfee said. “I think that’s a really cool thing. A few years back, none of these networks would even give me a meeting. Now, we’re the tip of the spear of what sports media needs to be in its next chapter.
” I’m honored that, what the boys, our fans, and I have created has been studied, accepted, and ultimately seemingly appreciated by these multi-billion dollar networks with hundreds, if not thousands, of employees. With that being said, the rumors were accurate, but they didn’t tell the entire tale. Beginning this fall, our show will be live on ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN’s YouTube, all at the same damn time.
“It will be Get Up, First Take, then our program on ESPN and ESPN+, and our show will be live on ESPN’s YouTube as well. I wouldn’t agree to a deal if we couldn’t continue to hang out t every day with the YouTube community. It was actually a sticking point in some conversations with some networks, and now our show will also be on in every airport, cafe, restaurant, house, etc with the incomparable power of ESPN. Out of respect for that, we have decided that we won’t be saying ‘f—‘ nearly as much, but every other word is good to go.”
McAfee continued by emphasizing that he and his team will still have full creative control of the show. He thanked ESPN and their decision-makers for the opportunity and viewed to work hard to make the deal a success. McAfee then expressed his gratitude.
“We will still have full creative control of the program,” McAfee said. “Why would ESPN want to license our show and then change it entirely? That would make no sense. Why would I want to go to a place and have to change the program entirely? That makes no sense. The program will never lose its soul. Our show is still our show, just with a bit more reach with the partnering with the worldwide leader. In closing, we are insanely honored that Paisano, Jimmy Pitaro, brand new president of content Burke Magnus and Bob-Father (shoutout Bob Iger) are blessing us with this opportunity to be part of the next chapter of the ESPN family.
“We do not take that lightly. We’re gonna work out asses off to make sure this is a success. Not only because of those fine gentlemen’s faith in us, but also so that other shows just like ours can see these same types of opportunities in the future. All parties involved agree that the time has come for a bunch of sports stooges in a ThunderDome in Indiana to sprinkle in some fun and some celebration of sport as well. I’m back in this saddle tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you all. I will answer any more questions that potentially come in the next 24 hours. Let’s continue to do some historic sh— together this fall. Let’s change the game forever. Cheers and thank you all. I am eternally grateful.”
It’s unclear how the deal affects McAfee’s career with WWE; he signed a multi-year deal with the company in July 2022. WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
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