Pat McAfee's deal with ESPN amid layoffs draws raises eyebrows: report

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Pat McAfee built a cult following as a sports personality with a hit radio program, a college football analyst role and a spot on the WWE broadcast team from time to time.

Earlier this month, McAfee announced he will walk away from his massive FanDuel deal to join ESPN along with his entire team. McAfee is taking his entire team to ESPN, and the popular show will be featured on ESPN and ESPN+ as well as the network's YouTube channel. During the announcement, McAfee said he made it a point to make the show free for everyone no matter what. 

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ESPN announcer Pat McAfee during the Georgia Bulldogs game versus the TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 9, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

However, the move is apparently not sitting well with everyone associated with Bristol, Connecticut, sports and entertainment enterprise. Disney is in the midst of massive cost-cutting measures with more layoffs expected to hit ESPN as well as other arms of the company.

That is part of the ire.

"Too soon was the reaction I got from a few friends. Some that were let go are still working there until June," one former ESPN staffer told Front Office Sports on Tuesday. "You are coming to grips with your departure, and then you see a big money signing. It’s not anti-McAfee. … it’s your ex getting engaged a month after the breakup."

McAfee’s arrival was highlighted at the Disney upfront along with a new Serena Williams docu-series.

The former Indianapolis Colts punter was in the midst of a reported