ESPN announces major broadcasting changes for Thanksgiving with Pat McAfee Show axed and Kirk Herbstreit facing mad dash
One of the many adjustments ESPN has made to its Thanksgiving schedule is the removal of the Pat McAfee Show.
On weekdays, McAfee’s popular show typically airs on the network from 12 to 2 p.m. ET.
However, when Americans enjoy their vacations, it will give way to live sports.
On Monday and Tuesday, ESPN will broadcast The Pat McAfee Show during its regular time slot.
On Wednesday, however, it will be moved to ESPN2, where college basketball will be the primary station.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday will not feature any Pat McAfee Show on ESPN at all.
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College football and basketball are scheduled to air on ESPN on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Throughout the week, First Take, which stars Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith, will continue to air in its regular time slot.
The regular 8am ET time slot for Get Up! will remain the same on Thursday and Friday.
At 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, McAfee will be on College GameDay.
Additionally, Kirk Herbstreit, his program co-star, has a busy schedule because of a significant NFL shift.
Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime is typically called by Herbstreit.
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Then, in time for Saturday’s ESPN broadcast, he dashes to the College GameDay location.
However, NBC takes Amazon’s customary Thanksgiving schedule.
In its place, the network will show a Black Friday game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Herbstreit will have to make the late-night drive from Arrowhead Stadium to the location of College GameDay the next morning because the game starts at 3 p.m. ET.
On Monday, December 2, ESPN will resume its regular programming schedule.
Pat McAfee’s playing days
Before deciding to pursue a career in the media, Pat McAfee had a very prosperous period.
From 2009 to 2016, the talk show personality spent eight seasons as a punter in the NFL.
Born in West Virginia, he was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft and played his whole career for the Indianapolis Colts.
In addition to being a first team All-Pro in 2014, the former gambler was selected to the Pro Bowl in both 2014 and 2016.
With 41.4 yards, McAfee holds the NFL record for the most career net average punting yards, and his biggest punt to date was 74 yards.
At noon ET, The Pat McAfee Show will return to its regular time slot.
A Monday Night Football Clash will be preceded by the network’s regular afternoon studio programming.
When the Broncos play the Cleveland Browns in Denver, Colorado, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and company will be there.
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On November 29, ESPN will host their usual Friday night doubleheader.
In the NBA Cup, the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Clippers go to Minnesota to play the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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