Pat McAfee has become one of the most popular sports commentators over the last few years, and his stock has been steadily rising during that time.
He has been the host of “The Pat McAfee Show,” which officially moved over to ESPN on Thursday for the first time.
But he will now be able to add another big show to his resume.
Per Dov Kleiman, McAfee will appear on “First Take” alongside Stephen A. Smith on Tuesdays from now on.
Update: Pat McAfee is joining 'First Take' with Stephen A Smith.
McAfee will be on the show every Tuesday, per @MMcCarthyREV
'First Take' already has a rotation that includes Shannon Sharpe and others, so adding McAfee should boost ratings further, via @FOS… pic.twitter.com/z9WjS3rT1N
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 7, 2023
“First Take” has consistently gotten high ratings, even after Skip Bayless left the show several years ago to start his own show, “Undisputed,” on FS1.
That show lost co-host Shannon Sharpe in June and now has a slightly different format with multiple co-hosts, including former NFL stars Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin, and Richard Sherman.
Through it all, “First Take” has reportedly continued to beat “Undisputed” in the ratings.
McAfee’s show focuses heavily on football, but he also covers some news from the NBA and other sports, and he has garnered quite a following for his unfiltered and energetic style of reporting and interviewing.
In his previous life, he had an eight-year career as an NFL punter, and he played his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts, reaching the Super Bowl as a rookie only to lose to the New Orleans Saints.
He was named to the All-Rookie Team that year, and he made it to the Pro Bowl twice while earning an All-Pro First-Team nod for the 2014 season.
McAfee has also enjoyed a side gig as a WWE wrestler over the last few years.
NEXT: Stephen A. Smith Shows Appreciation To Shannon Sharpe