ESPN has decided on Pat McAfee’s future with the network.
The top personality, 37, is in the middle of his five-year, $85 million licensing contract with the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
An ESPN top content man has given an update on Pat McAfee’s future with the network[/caption]
McAfee has three years left in his contract with ESPN.
The former NFL punter has been successful in the sports media world, as his self-titled afternoon program has continued to see audience growth.
McAfee’s contract with ESPN will conclude in three years, but a top network individual knows what to do once he’s close to the free agent market.
ESPN’s president of content, Burke Magnus, revealed his full intentions to keep McAfee at the network beyond his current contract.
McAfee signed with ESPN in the spring of 2023.
“For sure, on an ongoing basis beyond the current relationship we have with him,” Magnus told The Athletic.
“No doubt about that. One hundred percent.
“I think his show is hitting on all cylinders. … He’s an incredible interviewer and conversationalist.”
“There is a validation for athletes and executives to be on his show.
“Every commissioner wants to be on his show. Every athlete wants to be on the show.
“There’s a cool factor, a relevance factor. It’s fun and funny and entertaining.
“As we sit here today, I could not imagine our daytime schedule without his show.”
Magnus has echoed ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro’s praise of McAfee since he joined the network in 2023.
McAfee has two years remaining on the hit college football pregame show College GameDay.
Magnus made sure to point out to the outlet about McAfee’s impact on GameDay.
McAfee has added The Pat McAfee Kicking Contest, which is the program’s most popular segment since Lee Corso‘s headgear selections.
“I feel like the show, from a content perspective and a cast-contributor perspective, is as good as it’s ever been, and Pat is an enormous reason for that. The combination of Pat and Coach [Nick] Saban being added to Rece [Davis], Dez [Desmond Howard] and Kirk [Herbstreit] has proved to be the best possible combination we could have,” Magnus said.
“Pat’s field goal-kicking contest is now must-see television.
“We’re not trying to replace [Corso’s] the headgear pick on a one versus one basis but Pat’s opening monologue and then his personal pick at the end of the show has become fun and compelling.
“Long story short, both his show and his work on GameDay, I’ll take that in as far into the future as you want to go.”
