Pat McAfee said it “feels very interesting” that ESPN will “counter program” his daily simulcast with Rich Eisen’s show later this year.
During Tuesday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” the former All-Pro punter reacted to the news of ESPN and Eisen joining forces to bring “The Rich Eisen Show” to Disney+ and ESPN+ for streaming beginning weekdays this fall from noon to 3 p.m. ET — the same time McAfee’s talk show airs on the network’s linear channel.
“Learned Rich Eisen’s coming back to ESPN… I’m a big fan of Rich,” McAfee said before complimenting Eisen. “Rich has been very nice to me, very cool to me. He’s going live, noon to 3, I believe Eastern on ESPN+, Disney+.
“That feels very interesting. But also, love Rich Eisen, so I am cool with whatever… Noon-to-3 is fascinating, for sure. Is that a message? I don’t know. But yeah, cool, whatever. But nonetheless, we’re happy Rich is back.”
It continued an interesting week for McAfee after he sent out a cryptic tweet about his personal future.
“Life’s a book… each day being a page leading to the next.. phases of life come and go like chapters.. not every character/job/idea has to appear in every chapter. Some things are perfect for the story when it’s needed.. and then disappear as just a fond memory,” wrote McAfee, who also is an announcer for WWE.
“A pivotal influence to get from one era to the next… Don’t be scared to end a chapter and start anew.. you’re gonna have to do it eventually anyways. And always remember to check with the mirror every once in a while and make sure your book is one that makes you happy.. and if it’s not, change direction.. I think that you’re allowed to do that.. we have NO IDEA when the final page is being written.. with no sequels. ‘Tis our only chance at this thing here. I appreciate you all so much for everything. I’m living the dumbest book of all time.. trying to figure it all aht as I go..”
McAfee is in the second year of a five-year, $85 million contract with ESPN.
McAfee, who seemed confused about the exact details, praised Eisen for helping build ESPN during his nearly two-decade run at the company.
He started laughing while emphasizing that both shows will be on at the same time.
“You’ve got choices right there,” a producer said. “This one or this one.”
“I respect it,” McAfee replied. “Just like the ‘NFL Live’ crew on free agency frenzy day.
“Hey, counter program us, it’s all good. We like it. That’s how we like it actually. Motherf–kers might learn, but we do like it, and we have responses as well.”
McAfee went on to explain that he “might have” had a hand in Eisen’s show returning to ESPN.
“I might have been a part of even that entire thing potentially coming back,” he said.
Eisen’s show, which previously aired on The Roku Channel, will coincide with ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service named “ESPN” that launches this fall.
In 2003, Eisen left ESPN for a prominent role with NFL Network across multiple shows.
His show aired on NBC Sports Network and Peacock before moving to The Roku Channel in 2022.