WESTWOOD ONE KICKS OFF PODCAST AND WEEKDAY RADIO SHOW WITH FORMER NFL PUNTER PAT McAFEE
McAfee’s Popular “The Pat McAfee Show 2.0” Podcast Debuts on September 9th on Westwood One Podcast Network, along with a New Weekday Morning Sports Show
NEW YORK, NY, September 4, 2019 – CUMULUS MEDIA’s Westwood One, the largest audio network in the U.S., has partnered with former NFL punter, standup comedian, and social media star Pat McAfee to bring his popular podcast, The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 to Westwood One Podcast Network starting September 9, 2019. McAfee will expand his distribution from two podcasts a week to three, all featuring the former Indianapolis Colts punter delivering unique observations and provocative and entertaining interviews with friends, former and current players, coaches, and other personalities. The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 podcast generates more than 225,000 downloads per episode.
But wait, there’s more! McAfee will also make an entrance in the broadcast space with the launch of an exciting new weekday morning sports talk show that also launches September 9th and will feature McAfee’s intelligent, witty, and personal take on sports news and newsmakers. The Pat McAfee Show will air live Monday through Friday from 10 am – 12 noon ET and will feature a video simulcast on DAZN, the leading global sports streaming platform.
McAfee, who played in two Pro Bowls during his eight-year NFL career, brings a fresh take on sports and entertainment to listeners and fans. He is known for having zero filter and is both relatable and refreshing. His player’s insight, electric storytelling, and robust sense of humor have helped him build a huge and loyal fan base with more than two million social media followers. During his playing days in the NFL, McAfee was a frequent guest and fan favorite on the Westwood One-syndicated Bob & Tom Show. Earlier this year, McAfee launched his own stand-up comedy tour, playing to sold out crowds at every venue.
“Some of my earliest and fondest memories are with my dad in the car listening to WDVE in the morning in Pittsburgh. I believe that’s when my affinity for talk radio truly began,” said McAfee. “When I got to college, at the prestigious WVU, I applied to work at the university radio station in hopes to become a voice in the community. The scheduling didn’t work out but I always knew I wanted to be a radio guy. When I was drafted to the Indianapolis Colts, I knew I had arrived in Peyton Manning’s city but also the city of a staple of morning talk radio, The Bob and Tom Show. They invited me to come on one morning, let me do my thing, and it was love at first opportunity. I knew that no matter where my life would go, talk radio was going to be a passion for me. It’s a special intimate bond between the host(s) and listener that is impossible to duplicate in other avenues of entertainment. I am so incredibly grateful to Westwood One for affording me the opportunity to experience a lifelong dream. I can’t wait to get on the air and hopefully entertain/inform/and inspire folks listening all across the country. Let’s do the damn thing.”
“Pat McAfee is exactly what sports media needs right now,” says Suzanne Grimes, EVP Marketing, CUMULUS MEDIA and President, Westwood One. “He’s played at the highest level with power and passion. He exudes energy. He can relate to the greatest athletes, but he also truly connects to the everyday fan. He puts you right by his side so you can vicariously enjoy what he experiences.”
McAfee was recently signed by ESPN to be its Thursday night prime time college football analyst. After retiring from the NFL in 2016, he joined Barstool Sports and developed their “Heartland” division and the Heartland podcast, which will also be moving to the Westwood One Podcast Network. Pat also works for the WWE as a co-host on several of their NXT TakeOver Events. McAfee earned a scholarship to kick at West Virginia University after winning a national kicking competition. He was drafted by the Colts in 2009.
For information on The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 podcast, contact Suzy Schultz at sschultz@westwoodone.com or (212) 419-2905.
For information on how you can bring The Pat McAfee Show to your station, contact Rich Burg at rburg@westwoodone.com or (212) 824-2994
About Westwood One
Westwood One, the national-facing arm of CUMULUS MEDIA, offers iconic, nationally syndicated sports, news and entertainment content to over 250 million monthly listeners across an audio network of nearly 8,000 affiliated broadcast radio stations and media partners. Westwood One is the largest audio network in America, home to premium content that defines the culture, including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, the Olympics, Westwood One Backstage, the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards and the American Music Awards. The rapidly growing Westwood One Podcast Network delivers popular network and industry personalities and programs. Westwood One connects listeners with their passions through programs and platforms that have everyone listening. For more information please visit www.westwoodone.com.
Contact:
Jana Polsky | Westwood One | jpolsky@westwoodone.com| (212) 735-1101