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Former NFL punter turned media personality Pat McAfee's future with ESPN's College GameDay is reportedly in limbo as he doesn't have a new contract with the college football roadshow for the upcoming season, the Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported on Tuesday (June 18).
McAfee, 37, who has contributed to GameDay during each of the past two seasons, has a separate deal with ESPN after the network acquired his daily podcast, the Pat McAfee Show, in 2023. The former punter has become a polarizing on the show, having responded to a poll shared by the Athletic last October in which 48.9% of respondents said they didn't like him on the program.
"To the 49%, I have some great news.. I have heard you all very loud and clear since the beginning of my stint with GameDay," McAfee wrote at the time. "It’s one of the biggest reasons why I have not resigned a contract with the legendary show. I’m not right for some crowds and the 'distinguished' College Football folks are definitely one of those. Excited to enjoy the rest of this year, that’s shaping up to be a GREAT one, and then see what the future holds."
McAfee paused his role as WWE's color commentator during the college football season in 2023, which he resumed earlier this year after his obligations to GameDay concluded. The former punter has also stirred controversy since his show, which still simulcasts live and unedited on YouTube, was picked up by ESPN last year, which included longtime friend and recurring guest, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, seemingly implying that ABC talk show host Jimmy Kimmel would be named in the documents related to late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which were proven false, as well as the titular host calling former ESPN executive Norby Williamson a "rat" and accusing him of trying to sabotage his program prior to Williamson's resignation in April.