Pat McAfee joining ‘Monday Night Countdown’ as his ESPN role expands

ESPN’s motto is “Serving sports fans. Anytime. Anywhere.”

It soon may be “Serving Pat McAfee. Anytime. Anywhere.”

In his latest starring role for the network, McAfee will be a new member of “Monday Night Countdown,” positioning him to be a large part of ESPN’s Super Bowl coverage next February. McAfee will join host Scott Van Pelt, Jason Kelce, Marcus Spears and Jason McCourty on the show. McCourty replaces the fired Ryan Clark.

The McAfee move is not much of a surprise. In June, The Athletic reported that McAfee was in the midst of contract extension talks for a deal that would pay him $60-65 million per year and could include a bigger role in the network’s NFL coverage.

McAfee is expected to continue his daily talk show that airs on ESPN and other platforms. He will also continue his role on “College GameDay.” In the fall, McAfee will be a full part of the ESPN presentation nearly every day of the week — and on Mondays, a dominating presence day and night.

“Monday Night Football” and the NFL’s broadcast rights are ESPN’s most important property. Besides the “Monday Night” pregame crew, the evening’s production team includes Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, Laura Rutledge, along with alternate casts from Peyton and Eli Manning.

ESPN also announced that Jason Kelce will make his debut as a game analyst, teaming with play-by-play commentator Dave Pasch and analyst Kurt Warner for NFL Network. Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick will be NFL Network’s other game broadcast team. Molly McGrath will be the sideline reporter for both teams.