Pat McAfee joins ESPN, leaves $120 million contract behind

Pat McAfee joins ESPN, leaves $120 million contract behind

Pat McAfee has agreed to a new multi-year agreement with ESPN, officially announced Tuesday.

“The Pat McAfee Show” will move to ESPN this fall. In addition to hosting the daily show, McAfee will contribute to ESPN digital and social platforms. He will also continue his college football analyst role on ESPN’s “College GameDay.”

In doing so, he’ll leave behind a four-year, $120 million contract, according to the report. The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand reports that the new deal is “eight figures” annually. McAfee is taking his crew, which includes former NFL linebacker A.J. Hawk, to ESPN with him.

“We are extremely honored that ESPN is blessing us with this opportunity to be a part of the next chapter of the ESPN family. We do not take that lightly and are going to work hard to make sure this is a success,” McAfee said in a release. “All parties involved agree the time has come for a bunch of sports stooges in a Thunderdome in Indiana to sprinkle in some fun and celebration of sport as well.”

“The Pat McAfee Show” will air live weekdays on ESPN, the ESPN YouTube Channel, the ESPN App and ESPN+.

“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. We’re honored to bring Pat and the show to ESPN through a multifaceted, multiplatform approach.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Music App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily. studio show.