Pat McAfee is now at the forefront of ESPN. The network announced McAfee’s new role in its “Monday Night Football” pregame show for this season. Alongside, he will broadcast his daily program live from game sites. McAfee is also set to be a key analyst for ESPN’s pregame and halftime coverage during its first Super Bowl broadcast in February.
Continuing his contributions to “College GameDay,” McAfee becomes the first to work on both “GameDay” and “Monday Night Countdown,” ESPN’s major live programs. Discussions are ongoing to renew McAfee’s contract with ESPN, reportedly worth about $60 million annually, according to sources at OutKick.
“Josh Pate once faced eviction with an income of $27,000. Today, he runs a college football media empire.”
Previously, Stephen A. Smith was the unofficial face of ESPN, succeeding Chris Berman. However, Smith’s influence has waned. He has been excluded from the NBA Finals coverage, and “First Take’s” ratings have declined. Smith’s reputation has shifted towards being seen as repetitive and uninformed.
Smith struggled to retain his favored co-stars, such as Michael Irvin, Shannon Sharpe, and Ryan Clark. ESPN replaced them each offseason. In contrast, the network chose McAfee to host a live alternative broadcast during Game 3 of the NBA Finals. McAfee’s approach aligns with ESPN’s shift away from conflict-driven content towards celebrating sports.
McAfee’s show emphasizes the enthusiasm and camaraderie of sports fandom. His team celebrates the games, personalities, and quirks that attract sports fans. This approach, though seemingly straightforward, has been underutilized at ESPN, which formerly targeted niche audiences by focusing on societal issues in sports. This previous strategy harmed the network’s broader appeal.
Today, Smith seems akin to a past-their-prime musician still upheld by their label. By contrast, ESPN’s investment in McAfee reflects the network’s pivot towards authentic engagement. McAfee did not rely on ESPN to create his star status; he established it on his own and made his space within the network.
Last week, Josh Pate, an ESPN college football contributor, shared insights with OutKick about McAfee’s impact on sports media. He noted McAfee’s significant influence and compared it to Stone Cold Steve Austin’s impact on professional wrestling during the Attitude Era.
This fall, ESPN introduces “Bussin’ with Pate,” featuring Pate, Will Compton, and Taylor Lewan. The show airs from college football campuses each Friday. Pate and “Bussin’ with the Boys” grew their audiences independently of traditional networks, drawing valuable demographics that major networks find challenging to capture.
ESPN faced criticism by focusing on identity politics, overlooking viewer preferences. Executives Mike Foss and Burke Magnus now steer the network toward meeting viewer demands on linear and digital platforms, countering previous trends. With McAfee’s rise, ESPN aims to reconnect with its audience and expand its influence.
While McAfee’s era may face criticism, the concerns largely come from the sports media establishment, not fans. Notable critics include Dan Le Batard and reporters from Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, and CBS. Their unease stems from ESPN’s shift back to fan-driven content.
Despite any controversy, ESPN remains unfazed. The divide between sports journalists and fans is evident. Commentators fear ESPN’s shift toward broader appeal. For audiences, this represents progress.
McAfee’s rise signifies a shift in influence at ESPN, recognizing viewers’ preferences. Fans and viewers, not executives, have propelled McAfee to this influential position.
Bobby Burack is a writer for OutKick.
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