Pat McAfee Steps Away From WWE SmackDown Duties, Triple H Comments

According to the New York Post, WWE SmackDown announcer Pat McAfee has landed a new gig as a host for ESPN’s College GameDay, which is a show about college football airing each and every Saturday morning during the football season. Pat McAfee then took to his podcast and confirmed the new gig, while also revealing that he will be putting his WWE SmackDown duties on hold during the entirety of the college football season, but that he is still part of the WWE family.

Pat McAfee also revealed that he was thinking about doing both gigs at the exact same time, but it is tough for him to keep up with the travel schedule and the WWE even suggested for him to take the time away and he could return when the time is right.

WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, Head of Creative and Chief Content Officer Triple H then took to his Twitter and noted that Pat McAfee approached them about his amazing opportunity with ESPN’s College GameDay and that the WWE will never stand in Pat’s way. Triple H also said that McAfee will always remain a member of the WWE and they look forward to his return. McAfee then responded, “I APPRECIATE YOU BOSS.. Thank you for everything. I’m lucky to be a member of the WWE Universe. I can’t wait to get back.”

You can check out the tweets below:

Pat McAfee is joining ESPN's College GameDay as a full-time member, per @nypost.

He'll be on the show this Saturday in Austin for Alabama-Texas. pic.twitter.com/4y1XOIDcvX

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 7, 2022

SmackDAHN will be on hold for a little bit while I do College GameDay.. I'm still VERY much in the WWE family & will still be doing things with WWE#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bhSpOYg3wW

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 7, 2022

.@PatMcAfeeShow approached us about his amazing opportunity with College GameDay. We’d never stand in Pat’s way, as he continues to architect his exceptional career.

Pat will remain a member of the @WWE Universe and we look forward to his return. #UpToSomethingSZN

— Triple H (@TripleH) September 7, 2022

I APPRECIATE YOU BOSS.. Thank you for everything. I’m lucky to be a member of the WWE Universe.

I can’t wait to get back.

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 7, 2022