IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Pat McAfee is set to become the face of ESPN.
According to a report by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, McAfee is currently negotiating a contract extension with ESPN.
Marchand reports that McAfee could get paid upwards of $65 million/ year, which is a big jump from his current estimated $30 million/year salary.
Via The Athletic
ESPN and representatives for Pat McAfee are discussing an extension to his contract that would pay him more than $60 million per year, sources briefed on the talks told The Athletic.
McAfee could be on the air even more, with a bigger role in NFL coverage a possibility, according to the sources. The two sides are currently between $60 to 65 million per year, according to the sources.
Last year, Stephen A. Smith signed a 5-year $100 million contract that looks small compared to McAfee’s negotiated contract.
It is worth noting that McAfee is getting a lot more airtime on ESPN than Smith. People have noticed McAfee’s increased presence on ESPN during the NBA Finals.
Someone inside ESPN pointed out to me that the network released plans for its extensive NBA Finals coverage, and for the first time in a decade, there is no mention of Stephen A. Smith.
Instead, McAfee is doing a special alt-case from MSG.
McAfee is the new face of ESPN. https://t.co/KoWGZwkEEU— Bobby Burack (@burackbobby_) June 2, 2026
It seems like the tide is turning at ESPN, and we’re going to be getting a lot more McAfee, and less Stephen A. on the airwaves in the near future.