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ESPN stunned the sports media world with another wave of layoffs, parting ways with Ryan Clark and Tom Pelissero this week. Yet, amid the sweeping cuts, the network is reportedly closing in on a multi-million-dollar extension with Pat McAfee.
“ESPN and representatives for Pat McAfee are discussing an extension to his contract that would pay him more than $60 million per year,” The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported in June.
McAfee originally partnered with ESPN’s roster back in May 2023, signing a five-year, $85 million licensing and distribution agreement.
Despite having two years left on his current contract, reportedly worth $30 million annually for the show and College GameDay, he has entered negotiations for a new $60 million to $65 million per year deal.
If the deal goes through, McAfee would become the highest-paid employee in the network’s history.
“If an agreement can be reached, it could be a sliding scale based on McAfee’s new responsibilities. McAfee, already omnipresent, could be on the air even more, with a bigger role in NFL coverage a possibility,” The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported.
The Athletic analyst further pointed out that ESPN expects McAfee’s daily show to become even more profitable as both sides evaluate numbers, performance, and daily viewership.
As the new deal nears completion, the recent layoffs have only intensified the scrutiny surrounding McAfee, who has been a major target of the criticism.
He has since broken his silence on air to address the situation directly.
Pat McAfee fires back at critics blaming him for ESPN layoffs
Reports suggest that, in addition to Ryan Clark and Tom Pelissero, ESPN has also laid off Karl Ravech and Bart Scott as part of its restructuring plan.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, former NFL star J.J. Watt poked fun at the optics surrounding the negotiations.
“Slow, slow news day over there on the ESPN airwaves, huh?” Watt asked jokingly on the Pat McAfee Show. “I mean, besides the fact that you’re getting $100 million… Did they keep anybody? Or is everybody fired to pay you? I’m trying to figure that out.”
Watt’s playful jab added to the ongoing discussion, leading McAfee to clarify his position. While McAfee expressed sadness over the layoffs, he emphasized that corporate staffing decisions are entirely out of his hands.
“That is the narrative, and I am certainly taking it on the shins,” McAfee said on his show Tuesday. “The boys and I are very proud of the work that we have done…We hate any time this happens. Obviously, this is terrible. We don’t like that.”
That said, while ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said the network would treat its employees with the utmost respect, things have been a bit awkward for them lately.
What’s your take on the latest moves at ESPN? Do you think ESPN is making the right call with Pat McAfee? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
