Is Pat McAfee About to Jump To ESPN?
As Pat McAfee contemplates walking away from his $120 million deal with FanDuel, a new suitor for the sports media star has emerged.
According to insiders, ESPN is likely to be the next home of the popular multi-platform Pat McAfee Show.
Photo: IMDB
ESPN and McAfee are no strangers, with the former Colts punter working as a College GameDay panelist and hosting his own alternate broadcasts of big games.
A few weeks ago, McAfee posted a picture with Disney CEO Bob Iger and announced that news would be coming in the next 10 days. Perhaps not so coincidentally, Disney Upfronts are scheduled for May 16.
A weatherman and a truck driver’s kid chatted about life today.#UpToSomethingSZN pic.twitter.com/NPUCkln5N7
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 20, 2023
Part of a Larger Strategy
Signing McAfee would fit in well with ESPN head Jimmy Pitaro’s strategy of signing top-line talent.
Over the past few years, McAfee has become one of the biggest names in sports broadcasting, he would certainly fit the mold.
Photo: Disney
Perhaps more interesting however is the idea that McAfee could help push ESPN into the sports gambling forefront. McAfee was seen as the major attraction for FanDuel and rose to prominence working at Barstool Sports.
A Jump Into Sports Gambling?
With ESPN facing an uncertain future, Iger and Pitaro have both spoken openly about the idea that the flagship sports network could enter the sports gambling sphere.
Photo: Yahoo Sports
While it is unlikely that ESPN would be able to match the $30 million a year that McAfee is earning at FanDuel, his price tag will still be hefty.
A new McAfee contract at a time when Disney is looking to slash 7,000 jobs, would certainly be a problematic optic for the company.
Photo: Bloomberg
The Future of ESPN
Despite the bad look, however, McAfee would be a big grab for ESPN. The opportunity to get a star of his caliber doesn’t happen very often. If the addition of McAfee comes with a further push into sports gambling, the future of ESPN may never look the same.
Image Credit: Also ESPN
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