Pat McAfee recently noted it was “very interesting” that ESPN plans to “counter program” his daily broadcasts with the Rich Eisen show later this year.
On a recent episode of the “Pat McAfee Show,” McAfee discussed bringing “The Rich Eisen Show” to Disney+ and ESPN+, which will air on the network’s channels from noon to 3 PM on weekdays. He expressed his admiration for Rich Eisen, saying, “I’m a huge fan of Rich. He’s been really kind and cool to me.”
He continued, “I find all this quite fascinating. But I’m also a fan of Rich Eisen, so I’m okay with it. It definitely sends a message. Is it a message?”
McAfee had a busy week, sharing a cryptic tweet about his future. He mused about life being like a book, where each day leads to the next. He mentioned that not every character or idea has to appear in all chapters, suggesting that some are best suited for specific moments.
“The key to moving from one chapter to the next is not to fear closing the chapter and starting a new one,” he reflected. “And always remember to make your story something that brings you happiness. I live the craziest book ever.”
Currently, McAfee is in the second year of a five-year, $85 million contract with ESPN.
Seemingly unsure about the specifics, he commended Eisen for his role in building the network during his time there. He chuckled, highlighting that both shows would air concurrently. “There’s a choice,” he remarked, hinting at the decision viewers will have to make.
McAfee appreciated the situation, likening it to the excitement during free agency days for the “NFL Live” crew. “If they want to counter program us, that’s fine. We’re actually okay with that,” he said.
He hinted that he may have played a part in Eisen’s return to ESPN, mentioning, “I might even have been involved in making that happen.”
Eisen’s show, which previously streamed on the Roku Channel, aligns with ESPN’s new service set to launch this fall.
In 2003, Eisen departed ESPN and became a significant presence on the NFL Network across various shows. His show had aired on NBC Sports Network and Peacock before transitioning to the Roku Channel in 2022.
