• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 14, 2025
exclusive
Media

Pat McAfee Likely to Land Max Kellerman’s Slot on ESPN

  • McAfee expected to take Kellerman’s afternoon TV slot.
  • Kellerman also co-hosts morning radio show and boxing show for the network.
Max Kellerman's future at ESPN in doubt.
Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images

Max Kellerman’s “This Just In” TV show could be the first victim of ESPN’s big bucks Pat McAfee hire.

ESPN will likely pave the way for the addition of “The Pat McAfee Show” by canceling Kellerman’s weekday afternoon program, sources told Front Office Sports. 

But that possible change is one of many The Worldwide Leader is considering, as one source told FOS that ESPN is looking to trim up to $30 million in salary by the end of June. Those working on NFL and NBA coverage will be hardest hit, although the talent outside those two sports will be impacted. 

FOS was unable to reach Kellerman’s Los Angeles-based manager.

Kellerman’s show currently airs on the flagship channel from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. It premiered in September, 2021, following his departure from the “First Take” morning show.

Besides a vague launch date of this fall, ESPN hasn’t said exactly when McAfee will shift part of his afternoon YouTube show to its platforms. 

But McAfee said last week his show would follow Mike Greenberg’s “Get Up” (8 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET) and Stephen A. Smith’s “First Take” (10 a.m. to noon ET). 

He said he received four “significant” offers before choosing ESPN. The often foul-mouthed McAfee also promised to refrain from dropping so many F-bombs on his show (which has 2.2 million subscribers) once he throws his lot in with The Walt Disney Co.

“Our show is what a lot of these suit folks are viewing as the future of daily sports talk. I think that’s a really cool thing,” tweeted McAfee, who’s walking away from a $120 million, four-year deal with FanDuel to move his show to ESPN. “A few years back, none of these networks would even give me a meeting. Now we’re the tip of the spear in what sports media needs to be in its next chapter.”

The ex-Indianapolis Colts punter’s program will air live simultaneously on ESPN, ESPN’s YouTube Channel, the ESPN App, and ESPN+ streaming platform. McAfee assured his listeners he will retain “full creative control.”

McAfee Favre

ESPN Employees ‘Upset’ Over Pat McAfee Hire During Layoffs

A big-money signing during layoffs not going over well.
May 23, 2023

Slotting McAfee into a 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. time slot would create a new weekday programming block of “Get Up,” “First Take,” and “SportsCenter” at noon ET, McAfee from 1 or 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., then Malika Andrews’ “NBA Today” at 3 p.m. and Laura Rutledge’s “NFL Live” at 4 p.m. ET.

He will also continue to appear as an analyst on “College GameDay” and narrate alternate telecasts of college football games for ESPN.

The question mark hanging over Kellerman’s afternoon TV show doesn’t necessarily mean he’s leaving ESPN.

Kellerman co-hosts ESPN Radio’s “Keyshawn, JWill & Max” weekday morning radio show with Keyshawn Johnson and Jay Williams. 

He’s a key contributor to ESPN’s boxing coverage. He previously served as Stephen A. Smith’s debate partner for five years on “First Take.” He was the original host of the long-running “Around the Horn.”

ESPN declined to comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sinner Outduels Alcaraz for First Wimbledon Title and $4M Payday

The best two players in men’s tennis battled once again.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Cobh Ramblers
exclusive

Ireland’s Ramblers Latest Soccer Club to Gain U.S. Owner

The Ramblers play in the League of Ireland First Division.

Featured Today

Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.