ESPN Has Yet to Re-Sign Pat McAfee for ‘College GameDay’ With Next Season Just Two Months Away: Report

Jesse Beals/AP

With college football season just over two months away, the desk of ESPN’s College GameDay remains uncertain with Pat McAfee yet to be re-signed.

Sources told The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand that McAfee’s future with the hit college football show is up in the air. He’s been a regular on GameDay for the last two seasons.

Before last season had even wrapped up, McAfee admitted on social media that he hadn’t yet re-signed for next season due to his polarizing nature with ESPN audiences. In response to a survey conducted by The Athletic – which showed that nearly 49% of respondents didn’t like his inclusion on the show – McAfee said he heard the voices of his critics “loud and clear” and that he was aware he’s “not right for some crowds.”

As it currently stands, College GameDay will return with Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, and Lee Corso. Retired coach Nick Saban will also join the desk.

Regardless of ESPN’s decision, McAfee will still be a regular sight on the network. As Marchand noted, the licensing agreement that allows ESPN to broadcast The Pat McAfee Show is separate from his deal to appear on ESPN. That deal, worth a reported $85 million, will see his show on the network for five years.