Pat McAfee might secure a contract with ESPN exceeding $60 million annually.

Pat McAfee Negotiates Major Contract with ESPN

Pat McAfee might be on the verge of securing a substantial payday in sports media.

ESPN is reportedly in talks with McAfee’s team regarding a contract extension that could exceed $60 million per year. Various sources have indicated that the final amount may hinge on whether McAfee expands his role within the network, potentially enhancing its NFL coverage.

Currently, negotiations seem to be focusing on an annual salary between $60 million and $65 million, as per someone knowledgeable about the discussions.

At 39, McAfee still has two years left on his existing contract with ESPN, which is estimated to be around $30 million annually. This deal covers his participation in the daily show “College GameDay” among other duties.

Notably, his arrangement diverges from typical talent contracts. He operates under a production deal for “The Pat McAfee Show” while also holding separate agreements for his various roles.

Each day, McAfee and his team run a three-hour show—two hours broadcast on ESPN and another hour streamed live on YouTube. Additionally, he plays a significant role on “College GameDay,” where he appears alongside hosts like Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit.

In his current setup, McAfee maintains ownership of his show and manages the expenses related to contributors and production.

This potential new deal would further solidify McAfee’s swift ascent at ESPN, where he’s established himself as a prominent figure, akin to Stephen A. Smith.

For context, Smith signed a lucrative five-year contract worth over $100 million with ESPN earlier in 2025, complemented by a $36 million deal with SiriusXM.

McAfee’s negotiations have reportedly started with a request for $100 million annually. He is currently represented by Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro from TKO/WME.

ESPN has chosen not to comment on these discussions. The news about McAfee’s potential contract extension first came to light via Front Office Sports.

This meeting follows various controversies that have arisen since McAfee joined ESPN, including a claim by Aaron Rodgers during an appearance that Jimmy Kimmel was on the Epstein list. Additionally, McAfee faced backlash in July 2025 for spreading unverified rumors concerning Mary Kate Cornett, a college student, and had public disagreements with ESPN officials.

Nonetheless, ESPN leaders seem optimistic about McAfee’s ability to engage younger audiences, viewing him as pivotal for the network’s future.

According to a report, ESPN’s internal data suggests that McAfee and Smith rank among the most beloved on-air personalities at the network. In May, ESPN announced that McAfee’s combined viewership—both traditional and digital—had increased by 25% compared to the previous year.