Here Is What We Are Hearing About ESPN Airing Pat McAfee And Rich Eisen At The Same Time

After 22 years, Rich Eisen will return to ESPN this summer. The network announced this week an agreement to stream the daily "Rich Eisen Show" on ESPN+ and Disney+.

ESPN says the program will continue to air from noon to 3 pm ET – the same time slot as "The Pat McAfee Show."

The announcement caused immediate speculation about McAfee's standing at ESPN. On Tuesday, OutKick asked McAfee whether Eisen's deal would affect his future with the company, to which he responded by saying he is happy to see Eisen return.

"What’s up brother? Happy as hell Rich Eisen is back with ESPN. He helped build the worldwide leader," McAfee told OutKick via text. "I/we personally LOVE Rich.. confused and bummed that he won’t be able to join us LIVE when he comes under the umbrella. All will be good though."

He also addressed the news on his show, while jokingly asking if ESPN was sending him a message.

"Learned Rich Eisen’s coming back to ESPN… I’m a big fan of Rich," McAfee said. "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."

KANSAS CITY, M. - Pat McAfee addresses the audience during Monday Night RAW at T-Mobile Center on April 28, 2025.  (Photo by Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)

Sources tell OutKick that McAfee was actually an advocate of ESPN bringing Eisen back. The two worked together last fall when McAfee made weekly appearances on "NFL GameDay," which Eisen will continue to host on Sundays for NFL Network.

So, the question begs: Why would ESPN