ESPN host Pat McAfee has stunned fans by announcing a shock career pivot into the music industry, revealing plans to drop a debut album next month.
On Wednesday, the 39-year-old announced his first-ever studio record, titled The Diary of a Polarizing Figure, set for release on August 14.
McAfee, who is an analyst on College GameDay and the host of an eponymous talk show on ESPN, shared the news alongside a lengthy statement on social media.
Taking to his Instagram on Wednesday morning, McAfee wrote: ‘For as long as I can remember my mere existence has made people hate my guts… literally since elementary school. Teachers, administrators, other parents, you name it.
‘I didn’t understand it as a child but throughout my life I’ve come to realize that this is just how it’s gonna be.
‘I’ve been writing songs about it all for 20yrs. It’s time to let them aht.. There’s A LOT of headlines & narratives about me.. if I was to die, I’d like my kids to know exactly who and what their dad is.
Pat McAfee has stunned fans by announcing a shock career pivot into the music industry
The 39-year-old announced his first-ever studio record, titled The Diary of a Polarizing Figure
‘The Diary Of A Polarizing Figure. With incredible assistance from @ernest and many other INSANELY talented musicians in Nashville, my words have come to life. I’m very proud of what we’ve put together.’
In the comments section to his post, award-winning American country music singer Luke Combs jokingly wrote: ‘Not calling me on this? Unforgivable.’
In response, McAfee confirmed that there would be features on his debut album.
The album art features a picture of McAfee alongside his young self and handwritten quotes reflecting past slights, including ‘You talk too much’.
McAfee previously released the first single, a 90-second country-rocker called ‘Dookie,’ in December.
The shock album announcement comes at a pivotal moment in McAfee’s career, with reports swirling that he is closing in on an eye-watering $60m contract extension.
Negotiations for the monster deal – which would make the former NFL punter the highest-paid personality in sports broadcasting history – have coincided with a fresh wave of high-profile talent layoffs across the Disney-owned network.
Addressing the backlash over his rumored salary bump during recent network cutbacks, McAfee recently acknowledged the public scrutiny.
‘The first time we licensed the show through ESPN, one of these happened, we got blamed,’ McAfee said on his show earlier this week.
The shock album announcement comes at a pivotal moment in McAfee’s career, with reports swirling that he is closing in on an eye-watering $60m contract extension
McAfee cracks a smile after being asked about his salary amid ESPN’s latest wave of layoffs
‘This time, we’re getting blamed as well… but there’s billions and billions of dollars in these companies, and hard decisions have to get made.’
Recently, NFL great JJ Watt left ESPN’s McAfee momentarily dumfounded with a blunt question about the host’s reported massive contract extension.
The Houston Texans legend was appearing via satellite to receive a ‘Good Guy’ award from the show but quickly cut off McAfee’s preamble to inquire about the latest downsizing at ESPN.
‘Slow, slow news day over there on the ESPN airwaves, huh?’ the smirking Watt asked McAfee & Co. ‘I mean, besides the fact that you’re getting $100 million… Did they keep anybody? Or is everybody fired to pay you? I’m trying to figure that out.’
McAfee was left briefly stunned as his panel howled in the background during the discussion. He then collected himself and joked that Watt was going to ‘lose the award’ he was about to receive.
‘We do not like that,’ McAfee said as laughter continued in the background. ‘We do not appreciate that. That is the narrative, and I’m certainly taking it on the shins. The boys and I are very proud of the work that we have done. Thanks.’
ESPN let go of several NFL analysts, including former league stars Ryan Clark, Cam Newton and Bart Scott. And while the Worldwide Leader appears to be keeping some NFL Network talent, including league insider Ian Rapoport, others such as Tom Pelissero have been let go, as first reported by Marchand.
Others impacted by the layoffs include long-time ESPN anchor and Baseball Tonight host Karl Ravech, who had been at the network for 33 years, and SportsCenter’s David Lloyd.
