• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 22, 2026

Pat McAfee to Host College Football Version of ‘ManningCast’

  • McAfee announced that he’ll be hosting six simulcasts for ESPN college football games.
  • The show will be produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions.
Abigail Dollins / Argus Leader, Sioux Falls Argus Leader

The NFL “ManningCast” concept is coming to college football — starring Pat McAfee.

McAfee announced on his show on Thursday that he’ll be hosting six simulcasts for ESPN college football games this season. 

The program is powered by ManningCast pioneer Peyton Manning and his company Omaha Productions, and will be aired on ESPN2. McAfee will broadcast from his studio in Indianapolis, where guests will appear in-person.

The former teammates did not say which games they’ll choose, but McAfee promised they will be “big-ass” Power 5 matchups.

The show marks the latest in a new broadcast trend in both college and professional sports that took off after the success of the ManningCast. 

ESPN hosted a similar show during the women’s final four with Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird. The network also launched the “Kay-Rod” Show, a simulcast for Sunday Night Baseball featuring YES Network’s Michael Kay and Alex Rodriguez.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Beau Brune/LSU

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”

NCAA Sues DraftKings Over March Madness Trademark Infringement

NCAA president Charlie Baker has also gone after prediction markets.
Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers forward Owen Aquino (8) blocks the shot of Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center

Mid-Majors Use March Madness to Lobby for High-Major Matchups

Underdog programs want—and need—more games against high-major teams.
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; President Donald J Trump cross the field at half time of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army West Point Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium.

Trump Signs Executive Order to ‘Preserve’ Army–Navy Game

The order seeks to guarantee an exclusive television window for the game.

Featured Today

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.

Why Teams Aren’t Posting Their Own March Madness Highlights

The NCAA’s strict game highlights policy limits what teams themselves can post.
March 19, 2026

WBC Title Game Draws Record 10.8M U.S. Viewers

The tournament ends its breakthrough run in emphatic fashion.
Ben Strauss
March 20, 2026

Ben Strauss Discusses WaPo Layoff, His New Role at ESPN

The longtime media reporter was laid off while covering the Super Bowl.
Sponsored

Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet

Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
Sports commentator watches games on NFL Red Zone
March 19, 2026

NFL Sunday Ticket Exit from DirecTV Forces U.S. Bars to Adapt

DirecTV will no longer distribute the out-of-market package.
Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; NBC Peacock play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
exclusive
March 19, 2026

Noah Eagle, Michael Grady, Zora Stephenson to Call WNBA on NBC

WNBA games are returning to NBC for the first time since 2002.
March 19, 2026

March Madness Fuels the Push Toward More Screens, More Games

This year, there are even more multiview options available.
Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers former player Orel Hershiser reacts after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before game four of the 2025 MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
exclusive
March 19, 2026

Hershiser, Gonzalez Join NBC MLB Opening Day Coverage

The World Series legends will join Jason Benetti in the broadcast booth.