• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
2024 Best Venues nominations are open now through April 8! Submit Now
exclusive
Media

Pat McAfee Could Host a TNF ‘McAfee-Cast’ On Amazon

  • McAfee could star in an alternate stream of "Thursday Night Football."
  • Peyton and Eli Manning’s "ManningCast" Won a Sports Emmy for ESPN.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Amazon Prime Video is targeting Pat McAfee to create an alternate “McAfee-Cast” to rival Peyton and Eli Manning’s “ManningCast,” sources tell Front Office Sports.

The 35-year-old former Indianapolis Colts punter is one of the busiest talents in sports media, hosting his eponymous weekday show on SiriusXM and YouTube and performing as both a wrestler and color commentator in the WWE. 

There’s no deal yet with Amazon. It remains to be seen if McAfee could fit a weekly TNF assignment in with his other gigs.

But a TNF MegaCast would fit what McAfee’s looking for, said sources.  

McAfee, who stepped into the ring as a special guest at WrestleMania 38, could shoot a free-wheeling “McAfee-Cast” from his home base in Indianapolis, without traveling to the site of TNF games. 

He’d be the unquestioned star — without having to play the kooky sideline reporter in support of TNF’s lead broadcast team of Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit.

So-called “MegaCasts” are all the rage with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and ESPN winning a Sports Emmy this week for their alternate broadcast of “Monday Night Football.”

Turner Sports used its popular “Inside the NBA” team of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson to offer an alternate telecast of the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.

In late February, McAfee confirmed on his show that he’s had talks with Amazon executives. But he noted that his work schedule would make traveling to different stadiums’ broadcast booths impossible.  

The Amazon talks could be part of shifting his weekday FanDuel-sponsored show to Prime Video, according to the New York Post.

“I can’t call games. Not yet,” said McAfee at the time. “Have to be done with this show to call games. Because that’s like a 3-day, 4-day thing.” 

McAfee has first-hand experience with MegaCasts. He joined the Manning brothers during their alternate telecast of MNF’s Week 2 on ESPN2. McAfee “stole the show,” according to Sporting News, regaling viewers with memories of gambling with former teammate Peyton Manning.

Amazon will pay the NFL $1 billion a year to serve as the exclusive home of TNF through 2033. 

“I really believe that Amazon Prime’s going to change the way people watch football,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at a recent event. “Amazon’s platform is going to allow us to do things that we’ve only dreamed about to date.”

Amazon declined comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre.

Disney Succession Talk Rises Amid Shareholder Battles, ESPN Changes

Public attention rises on who will lead the company after Bob Iger.

‘Everybody Was Under Suspicion’: The Day Selection Sunday Was Scooped

In 2016, the ‘Selection Show’ backfired when the bracket was leaked anonymously.
Sep 3, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Orlando Pride forward Ally Watt (11) and Orlando Pride forward Julie Doyle (20) enter the stadium before the game against OL Reign at Lumen Field.

So Long, White Shorts: Here’s Why the NWSL’s Uniform Pivot Matters

There’s finally a growing trend to adapt women’s sports to women’s bodies.

Would Stephen A. Smith Make It On Late Night TV?

Smith tells ‘FOS’ he’s interested in succeeding Jimmy Kimmel, who has suggested his own clock is winding down at ABC.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

The Leak That Changed Selection Sunday

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

exclusive

WWE Prez Nick Khan, COO Brad Blum Revealed As Key Figures in Vince McMahon Sex-Trafficking Suit

The two men are described in the suit as facilitating and covering up exploitation.
March 10, 2024

For the ‘Spulu’ Super-Streamer: Lots of Questions, No Good Answers

Big partners, bigger promises, and an unclear operation.
March 9, 2024

‘We Want to Be Paid’: Inside Dartmouth Men’s Basketball’s Historic Union Effort

A group of players made history when they became the first NCAA team to vote to unionize.
March 4, 2024

The Caitlin Clark Economy: Much More Than an Army of Traveling Young Girls

The economy surrounding No. 22 goes far beyond her biggest fans.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Spotify
Multiple - USA Careers
Nike
Multiple - USA Careers
EA
Multiple - USA Careers
Mar 10, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Indycar driver Josef Newgarden (middle) celebrates winning the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Indycar driver Patricio O'Ward (left) celebrates winning second and Indycar driver Scott McLaughlin (right) celebrates winning third.

With NBC Deal Expiring, IndyCar Nearing New Media-Rights Deal

IndyCar is in the last season of a three-year rights deal with NBC.
Painted murals of Sports Illustrated covers inside the new University of Tennessee-themed Graduate Hotel located at 1706 Cumberland Ave. in Knoxville on Friday, August 7, 2020. Kns Graduatehotel Bp
March 18, 2024

New ‘Sports Illustrated’ Publisher Carries Big Opportunities, Bigger Expectations

Minute Media has generated big traffic, but ‘SI’ represents something else entirely.
Oct 14, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James (6) smiles towards fans from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
March 18, 2024

How LeBron James and JJ Redick Decided to Launch a Podcast

‘Mind the Game’ will focus on the X’s and O’s of basketball.
Sponsored

How Daily Fantasy Sports Solved NBA Fantasy

The remarkable growth of the #1 Discord sports server in the world.
March 18, 2024

‘Sports Illustrated’ Will Continue to Publish

The famed publication has a new licensing deal with Minute Media, which begins immediately.
March 15, 2024

The NWSL Is Ready to Cash in on New Media Exposure

ESPN, CBS, Amazon, and Scripps Sports will air matches this season.
March 14, 2024

Vince McMahon Lawsuit Questions Still Not Affecting WWE for Now

None of WWE’s current media and corporate partners have signaled any intent to exit their deals.
exclusive
March 13, 2024

Sources: ‘Sports Illustrated’ and Swimsuit Edition to Be Broken Apart

The news comes as Authentic, which owns ‘SI,’ is expected to make a decision about its future within the next few weeks.