Pat McAfee has responded to speculation about his new mega contract at ESPN. Earlier this month it was revealed he had opted to leave FanDuel, where he was two years into a reported four-year, $120 million contract.
The New York Post has claimed the broadcaster's new deal with the sports media giants will last for five years and is worth $85 million (£68.6m). But when asked about the figures involved in his new deal, the 36-year-old did not give much away.
“Interesting number,” McAfee replied. “I don’t talk about the business side of it all, the actual numbers and such.”
The American will bring his larger-than-life personality and popular The Pat McAfee Show to ESPN. On the show, which possesses over two million subscribers on YouTube, he discusses and analyses all things sport, and it is set to debut on ESPN this autumn.
The show will feature the same expert opinions and engaging interviews and will air weekdays on ESPN, their YouTube Channel, the ESPN App and ESPN+. Despite the move to America's biggest sports channel, ESPN was keen to not to make any changes to the show and formula that has worked so well for McAfee.
“I will be paying my people and we will be producing the show fully,” McAfee explained when the move was announced. “[ESPN] will be handling a lot more of the backend stuff, while also providing a platform that is incomparable linear wise with a network of talent that is deep and awesome.
“Their production assets, league rights capabilities, and access to everything in the sports world makes us incredibly pumped about the possibilities and can’t wait to get started this fall." McAfee will also feature on the company’s digital and social media platforms and will continue his role as a college football analyst on ESPN’s College Football GameDay, along with hosting some live broadcasts of college football games on the sports channel.
FanDuel, meanwhile, have yet to address McAfee’s departure and according to one of their spokespeople, this is set to continue. When asked why he chose to leave, McAfee stated: “FanDuel was our shows’ exclusive SportsBook partner. SeatGeek is our exclusive ticketing partner. 5 Hour energy is our exclusive energy shot partner.
“We were lucky to be a partner of theirs for a lot of GREAT times.. it was genuinely just to make our life easier behind the scenes. There’s still a chance we’ll be doing business with each other down the road. FD will always have success. A lot of GREAT folks there. I’m thankful for them.”
McAfee’s ESPN deal comes at a time when the company is set to carry out more redundancies. Disney chief executive officer Bob Iger wants to cut 7,000 jobs worldwide, saving $5.5 billion in the process.
And Front Office Sports have reported that a former sports researcher and former ESPN employee claimed some current employees were not happy with the timing of McAfee’s bumper deal.
“Too soon was the reaction I got from a few friends. Some that were let go are still working there until June,” one ex-ESPNer told the publication. "You are coming to grips with your departure, and then you see a big money signing. It’s not anti-McAfee…it’s your ex getting engaged a month after the breakup.”
Another added: “They’re are some people who are upset. The timing of it is curious. They’re paying Aikman, Buck, Stephen A. Smith, and McAfee. And then you’re going to lay people off? Kind of weird. Nothing against Pat McAfee. Obviously, he brings Aaron Rodgers to the table. He’s already there because he does ‘College GameDay.’ They’re looking to hit another home run. Meanwhile, their singles hitters are going to be fired.”
