Pat McAfee confirmed on social media Wednesday that he will return to ESPN’s “College GameDay” this season.
After months of anticipation that he would not return, the often over-the-top commentator announced his return to the program in a social media video.
“I’m back,” he said in a video uploaded.
“Let’s have the greatest year of college football in the history of college football,” a statement on the video stated.
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who was a weekly guest on the “Pat McAfee Show,” will join GameDay in the fall.
In October, McAfee replied to criticism about his involvement in ESPN’s renowned traveling pre-game college football program by announcing that he did not have a contract with the show beyond 2023.
A reader survey from The Athletic found that 48.9 percent of the more than 3,100 participants stated they “don’t like” McAfee on GameDay. Only 30.1% of respondents agreed that they liked him on the show.
“I have heard you all very loud and clear since the beginning of my stint with GameDay,” he said in October. “It’s one of the main reasons I haven’t re-signed with the iconic program. I’m not right for some crowds, and the ‘distinguished’ College Football fans are certainly one of them.
“It’s been an incredible pleasure and honor to sit at that desk and to work with the wonderful people of that family… It’s also been a lot of fun working seven days a week for the past two football seasons.
In December, he cited bad comments as one of the reasons for not returning. However, after an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” GameDay veteran Kirk Herbstreit decided to depart with McAfee.
“I’m just going to say this right now,” he told me. “If you dare to leave “College GameDay,” I’ll go with you. I am. I am. I am dead serious…
“I am not kissing your ass. I am not only telling you – and I have told you many times – that you have transformed my experience. I work incredibly hard on these three projects. I’m on GameDay, playing Thursday night with Al (Michaels) and Saturday with Chris (Fowler). You’ve really transformed the approach and enthusiasm, not just on set, but throughout the week. I am having a great time. It’s like being on a team that generates positive energy.”
