The Pat McAfee Show
The Pat McAfee Show is a three-hour daily sports talk show hosted by Pat McAfee on ESPN, ESPN+ and ESPN's YouTube channel. Only the first two hours air on ESPN; the final hour airs exclusively on ESPN+ and YouTube.
The Pat McAfee Show | |
---|---|
Created by | Pat McAfee |
Presented by | Pat McAfee AJ Hawk (1–3 PM ET) Evan Fox Zito Perez Connor Campbell Ty Schmit Tone Digz Frank Maraldo |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 4 |
Production | |
Producer | Ty Schmit |
Production locations | Indianapolis, Indiana[1] |
Camera setup | Multi-camera |
Running time | 180 minutes |
Production company | Pat McAfee Inc. |
Release | |
Original network | YouTube (2020–present) ESPN/ESPN+ (2023–present) |
Original release | September 9, 2019 – present |
History
The Pat McAfee Show made its debut on September 9, 2019, as part of the multiyear deal with DAZN and Westwood One. Westwood One distributed the show through the radio to 40 markets at launch. McAfee also began broadcasting the show live from marquee boxing and MMA DAZN cards.[2][3] In January 2020, CBS Sports Radio also began carrying the program.[4] In May 2020, the show moved its stream from DAZN to YouTube.[5]
On September 8, 2020, The Pat McAfee Show moved to Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio. It also moved from the 10 AM to 12 PM ET slot to the 12 PM to 3 PM on weekdays. The show continued to be broadcast live on YouTube.[6] On December 9, 2021, McAfee announced a four-year, $120 million deal with FanDuel, making them the sole odds provider for the Pat McAfee Show.[7] The deal also included the creation of a new studio space in Indianapolis called the Fanduel Igloo.[8] In August 2022, the show left Sirius XM after the company didn't make an offer for a contract extension, instead exclusively streaming on YouTube.[9]
On September 7, 2023, The Pat McAfee Show moved to ESPN as part of a five-year $85 million deal. Neither Pat McAfee nor ESPN have confirmed that the deal is in fact $85 million leading some to believe it is actually higher. The first two hours of the show air on the main ESPN network, while all three hours air on ESPN+ and ESPN's YouTube Channel.[10][11]
Controversies
In 2021, the show was criticized for allowing frequent guest Aaron Rodgers to spread what some perceived as vaccine misinformation.[12][13]
In February 2023, Brett Favre sued Pat McAfee after McAfee called Favre a "thief" who was "stealing from poor people in Mississippi" on the show. McAfee made the comments after Favre was accused of taking money from Mississippi's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to enrich himself.[14]
Following the announcement that the show would move to ESPN in 2023, some fans accused McAfee of being a "sellout".[15]
Awards
On December 19, 2022, the show won Sports Business Journal's inaugural Best Sports Audio award.[16]
References
- VanTryon, Matthew (May 12, 2022). "'That's a big (expletive) fire': Pat McAfee Show evacuates after downtown apartment complex fire". IndyStar. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Guthrie, Marisa (August 7, 2019). "Former NFL Star Pat McAfee Lands Daily Show on DAZN and Westwood One (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
- Ourand, John (September 16, 2019). "Party time: How DAZN, Westwood One got McAfee". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
- "Entercom Unveils Revamped Programming Lineup for CBS Sports Radio". audacyinc.com (Press release). January 2, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- "Pat McAfee Show Leaves DAZN". barrettsportsmedia.com. May 8, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- "Pat McAfee Show Moving To SiriusXM September 8th; Bill Reiter Takes His Place At CBS Sports Radio". all access.com. August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Huff, Cole (December 9, 2021). "Pat McAfee is about to make so much more money than he made in the NFL". For The Win. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- Koster, Kyle (December 9, 2021). "Pat McAfee, FanDuel Agree to Massive Deal". The Big Lead. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Staszewski, Joseph; Marchand, Andrew (August 29, 2022). "'The Pat McAfee Show,' SiriusXM parting ways: 'Never made an offer'". New York Post. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Lucia, Joe (August 17, 2023). "'The Pat McAfee Show' premieres September 7 on ESPN". Awful Announcing. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Marchand, Andrew (May 31, 2023). "Pat McAfee opens up about his $85 million ESPN leap". New York Post. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- Wood, Ryan (November 5, 2021). "Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers blasts 'woke mob' over COVID-19 news on Pat McAfee show, rips NFL's 'draconian' protocols". packersnews.com. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Keely, Sean (December 29, 2021). "The Pat McAfee Show is Aaron Rodgers' safe space". Awful Announcing. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Barr, John; Olivieri, Anthony (February 9, 2023). "Brett Favre sues Shannon Sharpe, Pat McAfee, auditor for defamation". ESPN. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Cohen, Bethany (May 18, 2023). "Pat McAfee lashes out at fans calling him a sellout after ESPN deal - "Ya'll motherfu**ers have no idea"". sportskeeda.com. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- Fischer, Ben (December 19, 2022). "Year-End Awards: Best Sports Audio". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved August 22, 2023.