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ESPN's "College GameDay" could see a significant change in its roster next season, as one of its beloved hosts, Pat McAfee, expressed uncertainty about his future on the show due to his perceived mismatch with a particular segment of the audience.
Known for his lively and charismatic presence on the Saturday morning show, Pat McAfee, who has been a fixture on "College GameDay" for the past two seasons, recently revealed his apprehensions about returning for the 2024 season.
Pat McAfee on fans opinions: I have heard you long and clear
The expectation was that the partnership between McAfee and "GameDay" would continue, especially following his substantial contract extension with ESPN earlier this year.
However, in a candid statement on social media platform X, McAfee addressed his concerns about his role on "GameDay" and his contract status.
McAfee referred to a poll conducted by Chris Vannini of The Athletic, which unveiled that 48.9% of respondents did not favor his presence on "GameDay."
In response to these findings, McAfee stated, "To the 49%, I have some great news. I have heard you all very loud and clear since the beginning of my stint on GameDay. It's one of the biggest reasons why I have not re-signed a contract with the legendary show."
The NFL and sports analyst expressed that he may not align well with certain segments of the college football fanbase.
He particularly referred to the "distinguished" college football fans as one of the groups where he might not be the right fit.
Despite the polarizing , McAfee seems optimistic about the rest of the current season and is looking forward to exploring new opportunities in the future.
McAfee has 5-year-contract with ESPN
McAfee's daily weekday show, "The Pat McAfee Show," ed ESPN's lineup earlier this year after a transition from FanDuel.
Considered one of the most recognized voices in American sports journalism, McAfee's deal with ESPN was reported to be worth $85 million dollars over the next five years.
His presence on both his daily show and "GameDay" was an integral part of ESPN's content strategy for him.
However, his future on "GameDay" beyond this football season appears uncertain.
While McAfee remains a valuable asset to ESPN, his continued involvement in Saturday morning "GameDay" broadcasts remains a subject of speculation.
The comment that sparked this uncertainty also led him to take a humorous jab at those responsible for the poll, stating, "I've never been friends with a human that reads The Athletic, so I'm not 100% sure what style of human these 3100 folks are ..."
Pat McAfee's journey on "College GameDay" began in 2019, and he was officially promoted to a full-time role on September 7, 2022.