Pat McAfee is a former NFL punter who spent the entirety of his playing days in an Indianapolis Colts uniform, but it is in his post-playing career in which he has earned the vast majority of his wealth.
Pat McAfee Earnings as a Player
McAfee was drafted by the Colts in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and was the team's starting punter for eight straight seasons. His entry level contract lasted for four years, and paid him just a shade over $1.8 million for the duration. When his rookie deal expired in 2013, Indianapolis decided to use the franchise tag on McAfee, keeping him around on a one-year deal worth nearly $3 million.
It was in 2014 that the punter made his big football money, and he backed it up with excellent performances. McAfee signed a contract that planned to pay him $14.5 million over five years, with an average of $2.9 million per season with signing bonuses and incentives included. He played three of those years, and retired at the top of his game in 2016 after leading the league in punt average. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and made the All-Pro team in 2014.
Pat McAfee is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in sports media. Through his many ventures, his estimated net worth is between $60 million and $65 million.
When all was said and done, Pat McAfee earned $13.4 million over the course of eight seasons with the Colts. But it has been the things that he has done since that have made him a household name and one of the biggest players in the sports media game.
Pat McAfee WWE Contract and Podcast
What companies does Pat McAfee own? He joined Barstool Sports shortly after his retirement from football, and parlayed that in to creating his own small business, Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI). The company created many podcasts under its umbrella, including the wildly popular The Pat McAfee Show, which netted its host one of the biggest endorsement deals in recent memory. He is also an analyst for WWE broadcasts, a company that he recently agreed to an extension with, though those terms were undisclosed.
Pat McAfee's Endorsements
In 2019, McAfee announced a 4-year, $120 million deal with FanDuel to make the betting company the official odds provider for the show. This worked out to $30 million per year, which is more than double what he made during the entirety of his playing career. It is one of the most lucrative deals for a media personality on the current market, and McAfee's popularity continues to skyrocket as will his net worth.
Pat McAfee Net Worth
Without doing extensive research on the subject, it is likely that Pat McAfee is the richest former NFL punter. The actual number is disputed, but his net worth is reported as being somewhere between $20 million and $24 million per year. It is likely that the real figure is on the higher side, and perhaps even closer to $30 million given his media deals and growing influence in the market.
Pat McAfee's Charitable Contributions
McAfee is highly active in his charitable contributions. He is the founder of The Pat McAfee Foundation, which provides scholarship assistance to the sons and daughters of military personnel.
But it doesn't stop with his own charity. When McAfee signed his deal with FanDuel, it was widely reported that he immediately donated roughly $6 million to youth programs, children's hospitals, and domestic violence victims. He also gave quarter of a million dollar bonuses to his Pat McAfee Show employees, and donated $2 million to his Plum, Pennsylvania alma mater's athletic program.
Pat McAfee's Real Estate Investments
While he grew up just outside of Pittsburgh, McAfee's main residence appears to be in Indianapolis where he spent his playing days. His home is in the northeast suburbs, and is quite modest given his net worth. It boasts 10,655 square feet and five bedrooms with three bedrooms, and was purchased in 2014 for a reported $925,000.
McAfee isn't done yet. His business is just beginning to bud, and his face is starting to pop up on different channels and outlets. His is becoming a household name, and has come a long way from being just the vocal punter from the Colts. His show and podcast is one of the most popular on its outlets, and he has a whole lot more money to make from his many ventures.
