Saturday, September 26, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Pat McAfee Becomes Full-Time Member of ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’

  • McAfee will add “College GameDay” to his growing media portfolio.
  • He said he’s been a fan of the show “forever.”
Abigail Dollins / Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Argus Leader

The roundtable at ESPN’s College GameDay has landed a new full-time member: Pat McAfee.

The former player and sports personality will begin his tenure on the show on Saturday, where Alabama will face off against Texas in Austin. 

The news was first reported by The New York Post, but McAfee confirmed it in a tweet. 

He said there were “so many moving parts,” and that conversations “moved quickly.” 

“GameDay is a show that I’ve been a fan of FOREVER,” he said.

“College GameDay” is now one of several shows McAfee will appear on regularly. He also has his own daily talk show, hosts WWE’s “Smackdown, and has even committed to several Mannincast-esque college football broadcasts on ESPN. 

McAfee additionally is in the middle of a four-year, $120 million deal with FanDuel and will have a weekly show for the rebranded FanDuel TV.

“College GameDay” which is perhaps only rivaled by Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff,” lands in a new location each Saturday morning to highlight a marquee college football game. 

Particularly for Group of 5 schools, landing the show is considered major free marketing for not just a school’s football program, but also the university as a whole.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Biggest Question for LSU Men’s Basketball: Who Is on the Team?

Will Wade said LSU has 15 players but won’t release a list.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; United States President Donald Trump (left) and Ivanka Trump (right) before the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

White House Denies Trump Movements Impacted CFP Game

The topic has been widely discussed ahead of Texas-Tennessee.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/25/26 – Trump Skips ‘GameDay,’ Sun Leave Connecticut, Juszczyk’s ‘Juice’ Fine

0:00

Featured Today

A Bar of Their Own

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Michelle Beadle on the Sirius XM Mad Dog Sports radio set at the Super Bowl 58 media center at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive

Michelle Beadle Joining Matthew Berry’s Roku Show

The new show will debut on Monday.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 19, 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump gestures ahead of the trophy presentation REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
September 24, 2026

Donald Trump Not Expected to Join ‘College GameDay’ on Saturday

ESPN does plan to show Trump during its Tennessee–Texas telecast.
Rob Gronkowski Front Office Sports
September 25, 2026

Rob Gronkowski Explains Terry Bradshaw’s Viral McBride Moment

Gronkowski says the Hall of Fame quarterback was in on the joke.
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a jersey from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
September 24, 2026

Will Donald Trump Join ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ on Saturday?

Trump will attend Tennessee vs. Texas in Knoxville.
Mar 15, 2026; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; NBC on-course reporter Jim “Bones” Mackay watches from the first tee during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images
September 24, 2026

Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay Reveals High Cost of Being a Caddie

Mackay was Phil Mickelson’s longtime caddie.
Exclusive
September 23, 2026

Linda Cohn Brings Podcast to Bleav

Cohn’s podcast has reached 36,000 subscribers in just over two months.
Mar 3, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Sportscaster Bob Costas before a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
September 23, 2026

Bob Costas Praises Pablo Torre’s ‘First-Rate’ Sports Journalism

Meanwhile, Costas bemoaned the demise of his former employer, HBO Sports.