Pat McAfee has yet to sign a new contract with ESPN’s College GameDay, just over two months before the start of the new season.
McAfee, who has hosted the popular Saturday morning program for the past two years, claimed late last year that he would return for the 2024-2025 season, despite his contract expiring after the end of the previous season.
The former Indianapolis Colts punter has a separate agreement with ESPN to license his own talk show every Monday through Friday, meaning he must agree to new terms in order to continue his role as host of College GameDay.
Yet according to The Athleticshe remains unsigned with just over nine weeks until the new college football season starts.
McAfee currently has a five-year contract worth an estimated $85 million for his weekly “Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN, which he reportedly uses to pay guests like Aaron Rodgers and Nick Saban.
Pat McAfee still has yet to sign a new contract with ESPN’s College GameDay, just over two months before the start of the new season
McAfee has presented the flagship program for college football for the past two years
College GameDay fans are divided over his presence on the leading college football show. A survey in October found that 48.9 percent of people were not fans.
The talk show host and WWE commentator responded to the unflattering poll by admitting that he had not yet re-signed for that reason.
“I’ve heard you all very loud and clear since the beginning of my time at GameDay,” McAfee said.
“It’s one of the biggest reasons why I didn’t do that [re-signed] a contract with the legendary show. I’m not suited for some crowds and the “distinguished” College Football crowd is certainly one of them.
“It was an absolute joy and honor to sit at that desk and work with the fine people of that family,” he continued. “It’s also been a lot of fun working 7 days a week for the past two football seasons.”
However, two months later, McAfee said he will return to the program the following season despite his contractual situation.
“If you even dare to think about leaving College GameDay, I’m leaving with you,” analyst Kirk Herbstreit told him. ‘I am. I am. I’m dead serious.’
The 2024 college football season kicks off with “Week 0” on August 24, before College GameDay heads to Notre Dame in Week 1 on August 31 for Texas A&M’s primetime game.
