Pat McAfee reportedly in talks for massive new ESPN deal
ESPN looks set to reward Pat McAfee with a massive new contract worth at least double what he was already making.
The Athletic reports that McAfee and ESPN are in discussions for a new deal, with negotiations currently placing it between the $60-65 million per year mark. McAfee is being represented by TKO/WME executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro, who — attempting to gain leverage — started the talks seeking $100 million per year for McAfee.
According to the report, McAfee is currently paid close to $30 million per year, though some of that is money that McAfee pays to others like contributors to his daily ESPN show. McAfee’s current contract has two years remaining and is divided between a licensing deal for The Pat McAfee Show and what ESPN pays him for his other roles. This new contract would have a similar structure.
It’s noted in The Athletic’s report that the new deal could see McAfee appear on ESPN even more than he already does, including expanded duties in NFL coverage. A former punter for the Indianapolis Colts, McAfee has become one of the biggest stars in sports media with his daily show and role on ESPN’s College GameDay.
The $60-65 million salary would make McAfee the highest paid employee at ESPN.
Pat McAfee in WWE —
McAfee played a huge, and controversial, role in WrestleMania 42 when he was inserted into the feud between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. With his inclusion in the storyline being so poorly received by fans, McAfee opted out of continuing with it after WrestleMania and claimed that he has finished his story in the industry.
It remains to be seen when McAfee will be back in WWE, but increased responsibilities with ESPN would seem to rule out any kind of full-time role like he used to have on commentary. With WWE and ESPN partnering together for PLEs in the United States, ESPN will likely continue to use McAfee to promote those events by having WWE guests on his show.
McAfee is also busy at home, with him and his wife Samantha welcoming their second child into the world at the end of May.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.