Pat McAfee, a former Indianapolis Colts punter who has grow to be one of many high sports activities figures within the nation, will reportedly make round $17 million a yr when he jumps from FanDuel to ESPN.
McAfee agreed to a five-year, $85 million deal to leap to ESPN, the New York Submit reported Wednesday. He and the group that helped construct “The Pat McAfee Present” are anticipated to look on ESPN’s mainline, ESPN+, and the corporate’s YouTube channel.
“Attention-grabbing quantity,” McAfee advised the outlet. “I am not speaking concerning the enterprise aspect of all that, precise numbers and such.”
Former NFL participant Adam “Pacman” Jones, proper, speaks to Pat McAfee on the radio line forward of Tremendous Bowl LVII on the Phoenix Conference Middle on February 9, 2023 in Phoenix. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Photos)
ESPN declined to remark to the New York Submit about contract figures. McAfee’s choice to affix ESPN was introduced up entrance by Disney. He walked away from a FanDuel deal that was reportedly value $120 million. His new take care of ESPN will reportedly permit him to stay in command of “all elements” of his exhibits however should minimize down on the F-word.
“I’ll pay my folks, and we’ll absolutely produce the present,” he advised the New York Submit. “[ESPN] will deal with extra of the backend stuff, whereas additionally offering a linearly unequalled platform with a deep and spectacular expertise community. Their manufacturing property, league rights capabilities and entry to all the things on the earth of sport have us very excited concerning the potentialities and might’t wait to get began this fall. Jimmy and I had plenty of nice chats all through this complete course of.. a number of zooms, calls (WHADD), texts (WHADD), emails (WHADD). it was a cool negotiating section of a number of months involving plenty of various factors.
“Enterprise clear, inventive, future, earlier conditions for each of us, and many others… It was a pleasure to listen to his imaginative and prescient and take heed to him. IMPRESSIVE Govt. He was all the time a sniper with me, I thank him for his belief in me, and in us …”
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Pat McAfee interviews Jordan Ta’amu, #10 from St. Louis Battlehawks, on the bench in the course of the XFL soccer sport in opposition to St. Louis. Louis Battlehawks on February 9, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Photos)
McAfee reportedly regretted getting the job amid Disney’s layoffs. Disney is within the midst of large cost-cutting measures with extra layoffs anticipated to hit ESPN in addition to different elements of the corporate.
A former ESPN staffer spoke about it in an interview with Entrance Workplace Sports activities.
“Too quick the response I bought from some buddies. Some who have been laid off are nonetheless working there till June,” mentioned the particular person. “You are beginning to come to phrases along with your leaving, and then you definitely see a giant cash signing. That is not anti-McAfee. … your ex bought engaged a month after the breakup.”
ESPN spending on large names whereas chopping out smaller ones is likely one of the troubling issues, in accordance with former ESPN star Howie Schwab – host of hit present “Stump the Schwab.”
“There have been some individuals who have been upset. The timing was bizarre. They paid off (Troy) Aikman, (Joe) Buck, Stephen A. Smith, and McAfee. Then you are going to lay off folks? Good-natured bizarre,” he advised Entrance Workplace Sports activities.
Pat McAfee was launched earlier than the WWE Royal Rumble on the Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio. (Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Photos)
“Nothing in opposition to Pat McAfee. Clearly, he introduced Aaron Rodgers to the desk. He is been there as a result of he did ‘School GameDay.’ They wish to hit one other house run. Within the meantime, their single hitter goes to be fired.”