Josh Pate Poised to Become ESPN’s Next Pat McAfee
Josh Pate, a rising media figure, appears set to become ESPN’s next major personality, akin to Pat McAfee. Recently, he made a guest appearance on “First Take” alongside Stephen A. Smith, a move that looked like a potential audition. His rising popularity stems from his role as a college football contributor for ESPN, a position he took on before the 2025 season.
Josh Pate’s Role at ESPN
Since joining ESPN, Pate primarily contributed to “Get Up,” hosted by Mike Greenberg. However, media predictions suggest his position will grow significantly in the coming year. This anticipated shift aligns with ESPN’s latest strategy under the leadership of Burke Magnus, which focuses on cultivating high-impact personalities.
Shifts in ESPN’s Strategy
ESPN has moved away from commentary-heavy programming towards engaging contributors who connect well with sports fans. This approach has seen the network invest in personalities like Pat McAfee and Peter Schrager while parting ways with others such as Sarah Spain and Bomani Jones. Bomani Jones has been critical of the network, calling it “visionless” as it reorganizes its talent structure.
Comparative Success of Pate and McAfee
Pate’s trajectory resembles that of McAfee, who transformed his show into a leading college football platform independently. ESPN’s willingness to preserve ownership and creative control over content is evident in McAfee’s success, who not only retained his audience but also expanded his reach considerably after joining the network. Pate is likely to follow a similar path, potentially adding his program to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer app and the SEC Network.
College Football’s Rising Prominence
College football remains a significant sport in America, often overshadowed by the NFL and the NBA. However, recent developments in college football have fueled national conversations, aided by events such as Lane Kiffin’s coaching shift from Ole Miss to LSU and the controversial College Football Playoff rankings. Such topics have created a considerable amount of drama, driving public interest.
The Future of Josh Pate at ESPN
As ESPN continues to innovate and adapt its offerings, the potential for an expanded partnership with Josh Pate seems promising. His skills and growing popularity make him a favorable candidate to become a central sports voice at ESPN. The future looks bright for Pate, and both ESPN and its audience stand to gain from this likely evolution.
