ESPN negotiates $60-$65 million deal with Pat McAfee

ESPN is in advanced negotiations with media personality Pat McAfee on a contract extension that would pay him more than $60 million annually, according to reports. The deal, which is not yet finalized, would more than double his current compensation and establish him as the highest-paid on-air talent in the network's history.

Sources indicate the annual value of the new multi-year agreement is being discussed in the range of $60 million to $65 million. McAfee, 39, still has two years remaining on his existing contract with ESPN, which is valued at approximately $30 million per year. That sum covers his daily three-hour program, "The Pat McAfee Show," his role as a main personality on "College GameDay," and other appearances across the network's football coverage.

The proposed extension is expected to come with expanded responsibilities, including a more prominent role in ESPN's NFL programming. Under his unique deal structure, McAfee maintains ownership of his daily show and is responsible for its production costs and paying contributors, with the first two hours airing on ESPN's linear channel and the full program streaming on YouTube.

McAfee's rapid ascent at ESPN, which he...