Pat McAfee net worth in 2024 is a hot topic for fans. Known for his time in the NFL and his huge media career, McAfee has become a well-known name in both sports and entertainment. From his days as a star punter to his rise as a popular host, he has built impressive financial success.
Let’s break down how he makes his money and where it all comes from.
Pat McAfee in Brief
| Full Name | Patrick Justin McAfee |
| Date of Birth | May 2, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Plum, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Occupation | Sports Analyst, Podcaster, Former NFL Punter |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
| Spouse | Samantha Ludy |
| Net Worth | $60 million |
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What is Pat McAfee Net Worth in 2024?
Pat McAfee is an American sports analyst, former NFL punter, and host of The Pat McAfee Show who has an estimated net worth of $60 million as of 2024, according to Sportskeeda. This impressive figure reflects his success both on and off the field, including his lucrative deals with ESPN and his thriving media career after retiring from the NFL.
He started as an NFL player, earning good money as a punter for the Indianapolis Colts, but his big break came after he retired. He built a popular show, The Pat McAfee Show, which attracted a huge audience and big sponsors. In 2023, he signed a massive multi-million-dollar deal with ESPN to bring his show to their platform.
He also earned money from podcasting, endorsements, and being part of WWE events. All these ventures made him very successful.
Pat McAfee’s Early Life
Pat McAfee was born on May 2, 1987, in Plum, a small town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Tim and Sally McAfee. Pat went to Plum High School where he played many sports like soccer, volleyball, and football. He was good at sports and got attention from colleges for all three.
In high school, Pat became the national Punt, Pass, and Kick champion by his sophomore year. During his senior year, he won $1,400 in an illegal poker game. He used the money to travel to Miami for a national field goal competition. Pat made nine field goals in a row, starting from 25 yards and moving back five yards each time. He almost made a 70-yard field goal but missed it slightly to the right.
After the competition, Tony Gibson, who was the recruiting coordinator for West Virginia University, saw Pat’s skills. He offered him a scholarship to play for the university’s football team. This opened a big opportunity for Pat to grow in his sports career.
Pat McAfee’s College career
Freshman Year
In 2005, Pat McAfee became the starting kicker at West Virginia. He played as a freshman and had a good season. McAfee made 11 out of 18 field goals and kicked 70 kickoffs. His most memorable play was an onside kick against Louisville. The kick helped West Virginia tie the game, leading to a 46-44 triple-overtime win. Running back Steve Slaton scored the winning touchdown after the kick.
Sophomore Year
In 2006, McAfee’s team had a few losses, but they still won 10 games. They played in the Gator Bowl and beat Georgia Tech. McAfee was an important part of the team during this time.
Junior Year
In 2007, McAfee started with a miss on an extra point against Western Michigan. This ended his streak of 106 consecutive extra points. The season ended in the Fiesta Bowl, where McAfee kicked two out of four field goals, though one was blocked. His team lost to Pitt in a tough game that kept them out of the National Championship. Despite that, McAfee was named to the Lou Groza Award semi-finalist list for best collegiate kicker.
Senior Year
In 2008, McAfee had an outstanding senior season. He helped lead his team to a big win over Villanova, kicking two field goals, including one from 52 yards. Later, he set a school record for all-time scoring. He made a 52-yard field goal against Cincinnati to tie the game, but the team lost in overtime. McAfee also had a great punting season, averaging 44.7 yards per punt. He was named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award.
Pat McAfee’s Professional Career
Football Career Journey
Pat McAfee was invited to the 2009 Senior Bowl in Alabama, where he joined other players like Pat White and Ellis Lankster. He started as the South team’s kicker and also won the “round the world” kicking competition at the State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge. He didn’t attend the NFL Combine but had tryouts with teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and New England Patriots.
McAfee was picked by the Indianapolis Colts in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He joined the team and handled punting and kick-off duties in his rookie year. McAfee also became the holder for extra points and field goals. That year, the Colts won the AFC South, and the AFC Championship, and played in Super Bowl XLIV. McAfee was named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team.
Rising Star in the NFL
In the 2011 season, McAfee had a punting average of 46.6 yards, and he improved it to 48.2 yards in 2012. He became known for his great kicking skills. In 2014, he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month and led the NFL in punting average. He also made successful onside kicks, even recovering one himself. McAfee was selected for his first Pro Bowl in December 2014 and was named a First Team All-Pro punter in January 2015.
McAfee earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2015 and even almost played as an emergency quarterback for the Colts, though he never took the field. He was also one of the few punters who could throw the ball during special fake punt plays. In 2016, McAfee was selected for his second Pro Bowl.
Retirement
McAfee retired from the NFL in 2017 after eight seasons with the Colts. He joined Barstool Sports as a contributor. His decision was influenced by knee injuries and issues with the Colts’ general manager, Ryan Grigson. McAfee also worked out with the Chicago Bears in 2019 but didn’t return to the NFL due to knee problems.
In 2020, fans pushed for McAfee to return to the NFL and play for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, who were struggling with punting. McAfee teased the idea on social media but did not rejoin the team. The Steelers eventually re-signed Jordan Berry. McAfee could have also joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, but he wasn’t able to pass COVID-19 protocols.
In September 2022, McAfee was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was honored but believed that other punters, like Shane Lechler, were more deserving.
Pat McAfee’s Wrestling Career
Career Highlights
Pat McAfee had a memorable moment before the NFL draft. On March 22, 2009, he wrestled WarPig at an IWA East Coast show. WarPig controlled the fight, but McAfee won with a low blow and a superkick. Years later, in March 2018, McAfee appeared at an NXT show in Indianapolis. He distracted Adam Cole, helping Aleister Black win the match.
In June 2017, McAfee trained briefly as a wrestler under Rip Rogers. The training was filmed for Barstool Sports.
Starting in WWE
In 2018, McAfee joined WWE as a pre-show analyst for NXT TakeOver events. He started at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans and continued at events like NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 and WarGames. By December, he signed a multi-year WWE contract, officially finalized in February 2019.
McAfee hosted live watch-alongs of WWE pay-per-views on YouTube, starting with Fastlane. For WrestleMania, McAfee and his team, including his friend Zito, traveled in an RV. At the event, he argued with Michael Cole over his tuxedo shorts. Vince McMahon approved the outfit, and McAfee co-hosted the pre-show with Charly Caruso.
NXT Storylines and Feuds
McAfee appeared in NXT storylines, mainly against Adam Cole. At NXT TakeOver XXX, McAfee lost to Cole. He later formed his own group, The Kings of NXT, featuring Pete Dunne, Ridge Holland, Danny Burch, and Oney Lorcan. They feuded with Undisputed Era, which ended at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, where McAfee’s team lost.
SmackDown Commentary and Matches
In 2021, McAfee became a color commentator for SmackDown, working with Michael Cole. On The Pat McAfee Show, Vince McMahon offered him a WrestleMania match. At WrestleMania 38, McAfee defeated Theory but lost an impromptu match to McMahon. Afterward, Stone Cold Steve Austin stunned everyone, including McAfee.
McAfee later feuded with Baron Corbin, beating him at SummerSlam. In September 2022, he took a break from WWE to join ESPN’s College GameDay.
Surprise Returns
At Royal Rumble 2023, McAfee returned for commentary before the men’s match. Later at WrestleMania 39, he beat The Miz in a quick match arranged by Snoop Dogg. McAfee returned as a surprise guest and entrant at Royal Rumble 2024. He eliminated himself shortly after entering.
Two days later, McAfee rejoined WWE full-time on Raw with Michael Cole. He also became downloadable content for WWE 2K24. In August, he again took a break to focus on College GameDay.
Pat McAfee’s Post Football Career
After retiring from football, Pat McAfee started The Pat McAfee Show. He became a top name in sports media, signing a huge deal with ESPN worth over eight figures. His talk show grew popular and featured many well-known athletes like Aaron Rodgers.
Barstool Sports
While still with the Colts, Pat tried stand-up comedy talking about his NFL life. After retiring, he joined Barstool Sports and launched The Pat McAfee Show on SiriusXM. However, he left Barstool in 2018 due to disagreements over business decisions.
Pat McAfee Inc
Pat started his own company, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI), in Indianapolis. The company produced podcasts like The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, That’s Hockey Talk, Heartland Radio 2.0, and Good Bettor Bets. His team included former NFL player A. J. Hawk and ex-teammate Darius Butler. He also rebranded Good Bettor Bets as Hammer Dahn, bringing in sports experts like Michael Lombardi.
FanDuel Sponsorship
In 2021, PMI announced a $120 million partnership with FanDuel. The company later moved to a renovated church in Lawrence, Indiana, as its headquarters.
Fox Sport’s and ESPN
Pat debuted as a football broadcaster for Fox in 2018. Later, he joined ESPN for college football analysis alongside Matt Hasselbeck. He became a regular on College GameDay and other shows like Get Up! He also joined Peyton Manning’s Monday Night Football telecast and appeared on ESPN’s major NFL and college games. In 2023, The Pat McAfee Show became part of ESPN’s platforms, including ESPN+, YouTube, and TV.
Pat performed stand-up shows in Indiana and appeared on The Bob & Tom Show. He also played a professional baseball game for the Washington Wild Things, acting as a guest player. In 2020, he worked as a sideline reporter for the XFL. Additionally, he co-hosts the gambling podcast Hammer Dahn and occasionally joins other PMI shows like The Pod and That’s Hockey Talk.
Pat McAfee’s Personal Life
Marriage and Family
McAfee got engaged to Samantha Ludy in February 2019. They were married on August 1, 2020, at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on May 4, 2023.
Arrest and Apology
On October 20, 2010, Pat McAfee was arrested for public intoxication in Indianapolis. Police found him shirtless and wet near a canal in Broad Ripple, a nightclub area. A woman reported him near her car early in the morning. His blood alcohol level was 0.15. McAfee apologized two weeks later, saying, “I made a dumb decision and will not embarrass my team or family again.” The Colts suspended him for one game.
Setting a World Record
On February 5, 2016, McAfee set a Guinness World Record by kicking a 40-yard field goal while blindfolded. This amazing feat was later surpassed by Davis Brief, who kicked a 45-yard blindfolded field goal on September 23, 2018.
Pat McAfee’s Real Estate
In 2015, Pat bought a 12-acre property in Indianapolis. The cost was $925,000. The property includes a 10,600-square-foot mansion. It also has a horse barn, a creek, a pool, woods, and a large pasture.
