What Happened to The Pat McAfee Show?
The Pat McAfee Show, hosted by former NFL punter Pat McAfee, has evolved from a Barstool Sports podcast to a dominant independent media entity, securing lucrative deals with FanDuel and, most recently, ESPN. As of mid-2026, the show is a cornerstone of ESPN's daytime programming and is reportedly in negotiations for a new contract extension valued at $60-65 million annually.
Quick Answer
The Pat McAfee Show is currently broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN+, and Pat McAfee's YouTube channel, airing weekdays from noon to approximately 3:00 p.m. ET. After a significant five-year, $85 million deal with ESPN in 2023, the show and McAfee are reportedly in advanced negotiations for a new contract extension with the network, potentially worth $60-65 million per year, solidifying its position as a major force in sports media as of August 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Podcast Launch with Barstool Sports
Pat McAfee launched his audio and video podcast, 'The Pat McAfee Show,' in partnership with Barstool Sports, broadcasting live on Facebook and YouTube.
Split from Barstool Sports and Launch of Pat McAfee Inc.
McAfee announced his departure from Barstool Sports due to financial disagreements and subsequently launched his independent podcast network, Pat McAfee Inc., continuing the show as 'PMS 2.0'.
New Program 'The Pat McAfee Show' Premieres
A new program with the same name, 'The Pat McAfee Show,' premiered as part of a multi-year deal with DAZN and Westwood One radio.
Signs $120 Million Deal with FanDuel
The Pat McAfee Show secured a four-year sponsorship deal with FanDuel Sportsbook, reportedly worth up to $120 million, moving its operations to the 'FanDuel Igloo'.
Joins ESPN's College GameDay
Pat McAfee joined the cast of ESPN's premier college football pregame show, 'College GameDay,' as an analyst.
Departs SiriusXM
The show left SiriusXM after the company did not offer a contract extension, continuing to broadcast on YouTube and as an audio podcast.
Moves to ESPN in $85 Million Deal
The Pat McAfee Show officially moved to ESPN as part of a five-year deal valued at $85 million, with the first two hours simulcast on ESPN and the full show on ESPN+ and YouTube.
Records Strongest Q1 Viewership in History
The Pat McAfee Show achieved its strongest first quarter ever, averaging 520,000 viewers across linear and digital platforms, with January averaging 575,000 viewers.
Reports Emerge of New $60-65 Million ESPN Contract Negotiations
News broke that ESPN and Pat McAfee were in early discussions for a new contract extension, reportedly worth between $60 million and $65 million per year, extending beyond his current deal which runs until 2028.
McAfee Addresses Layoff Criticisms
Pat McAfee publicly responded to criticisms linking his potential new mega-deal with ESPN to recent layoffs at the network, stating that his show's licensing fee is not the cause of broader company budget decisions.
Ongoing Contract Negotiations with ESPN
As of today, negotiations between Pat McAfee and ESPN for a significant new contract extension are reportedly still underway, indicating a continued long-term partnership.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Pat McAfee Show originated as a podcast in 2017, initially in partnership with Barstool Sports, quickly gaining traction for its unfiltered and R-rated style of sports commentary. After a public split from Barstool Sports in August 2018 due to financial disagreements, McAfee launched Pat McAfee Inc. and continued the show independently as "PMS 2.0," building a loyal audience on YouTube. This independent success demonstrated McAfee's ability to cultivate a direct connection with fans, a key turning point that would define his future media ventures. The show officially premiered as 'The Pat McAfee Show' in September 2019, distributed by DAZN and Westwood One.
A significant milestone occurred in December 2021 when The Pat McAfee Show inked a four-year sponsorship deal with FanDuel Sportsbook, reportedly worth up to $120 million. This deal saw the show move its headquarters to the 'FanDuel Igloo' in Indiana and further cemented its status as a major player in the sports media landscape, attracting high-profile guests and maintaining strong viewership on YouTube and SiriusXM. However, the show departed SiriusXM in August 2022 after the company did not offer a contract extension.
The show's trajectory took another major turn in September 2023 when it moved to ESPN as part of a five-year deal valued at $85 million. This agreement brought the show's expansive audience to ESPN's linear and digital channels, with the first two hours simulcast on ESPN and the entire program available on ESPN+ and YouTube. Crucially, McAfee retained complete creative control over the show's content, allowing him to continue inviting guests from competing networks. This move integrated McAfee further into ESPN's ecosystem, building on his role as an analyst for College GameDay, which he joined in 2022.
As of 2026, The Pat McAfee Show remains a prominent fixture on ESPN, known for its blend of commentary, interviews, and humor. The first quarter of 2026 marked the show's strongest Q1 in history, averaging 520,000 viewers across linear and digital platforms, with January averaging 575,000 viewers, up 15-16% year-over-year. In June 2026, reports surfaced that ESPN and McAfee were in early negotiations for a substantial contract extension, potentially worth between $60 million and $65 million per year. This proposed deal, which would cover both the show's licensing and McAfee's additional contributions to ESPN programming like College GameDay and NFL coverage, has sparked considerable discussion, especially in light of concurrent layoffs at ESPN. McAfee addressed these criticisms in July 2026, asserting that his show's licensing fee is not directly responsible for the company's broader financial decisions.
CURRENT STATUS (as of 2026-08-16): The Pat McAfee Show continues to air weekdays on ESPN, ESPN+, and YouTube. Negotiations for a new, highly lucrative contract extension with ESPN are ongoing, positioning McAfee as one of the highest-paid talents in sports media.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The Pat McAfee Show made different choices?