Pat McAfee, a prominent ESPN host and former NFL punter, has announced a surprising career shift into the music industry, with plans to release his debut album on August 14. The album, titled "The Diary of a Polarizing Figure," features his own songwriting and collaborations with Nashville musicians.
McAfee, who hosts "The Pat McAfee Show" and serves as an analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, shared the news on social media, stating he has been writing songs for two decades reflecting on public perception of him. The album art includes his younger self and handwritten quotes. He previously released a single called "Dookie" in December.
The announcement comes as reports circulate that McAfee is close to finalizing a contract extension with ESPN that could be worth $60 million annually. Such a deal would reportedly make him the highest-paid personality in sports broadcasting history.
This news emerges during a period of significant layoffs at the Disney-owned network. McAfee has publicly acknowledged the scrutiny surrounding his potential new contract amid these cutbacks. He noted on his show that while he and his team are proud of their work, they are aware of the public perception and the difficult decisions being made within the company.
Earlier this week, NFL star JJ Watt jokingly questioned McAfee's reported salary during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," referencing the recent layoffs and asking if others were being fired to pay for his extension. McAfee, appearing momentarily taken aback, responded with humor but also acknowledged the narrative surrounding his compensation.
ESPN recently parted ways with several NFL analysts, including former players Ryan Clark, Cam Newton, and Bart Scott, as well as long-time anchor Karl Ravech and SportsCenter host David Lloyd. Meanwhile, some NFL Network talent like Ian Rapoport remain with the network, while others such as Tom Pelissero were let go.