Pat McAfee‘s football and broadcasting achievements have long been well documented, but in recent weeks, the former NFL punter and current ESPN personality has taken a bold step into a new arena, Hollywood.
In a move that signals a new evolution of his public persona, McAfee has aligned himself with one of entertainment’s most influential agents as he begins booking scripted television and film roles while balancing his sports media commitments.
McAfee, 38, rose to fame after a successful punting career with the Indianapolis Colts, quickly pivoting into sports media and wrestling commentary after his 2017 retirement.
His daily Pat McAfee Show has become a cornerstone of ESPN‘s lineup, and he remains a prominent analyst on College GameDay as well as a commentator and occasional performer in WWE. Now, McAfee is preparing for what could be the most dramatic expansion of his career yet.
Central to this new chapter is his partnership with Ari Emanuel, a veteran Hollywood agent and executive chairman of WME Group.
Emanuel has reportedly taken McAfee under his wing with ambitions to develop him into a crossover star reminiscent of Sylvester Stallone, a comparison that highlights the scale of the plans being discussed.
“Pat McAfee has hired Hollywood superagent Ari Emanuel, who wants to turn him ‘into the next Sylvester Stallone.’ He has already started to book McAfee for movie and TV roles,” reads a post from Front Office Sports shared on X, underscoring the intent behind the new professional relationship.
While McAfee‘s move into acting might seem sudden to casual observers, it follows a series of increasingly high-profile opportunities.
Among them is a four-episode arc on the upcoming fourth season of Tulsa King, the Paramount+ crime drama created by Taylor Sheridan and starring Stallone himself.
McAfee‘s extended role alongside one of Hollywood’s enduring action stars marks a meaningful entry point into scripted television.
In addition to Tulsa King, McAfee has been cast in the upcoming film The Mosquito Bowl as a U.S. Marine drill instructor.
Based on Buzz Bissinger‘s book of the same name and directed by Peter Berg, the World War II-era sports drama is one of the year’s most anticipated releases, blending athletic storytelling with cinematic ambition.
Balancing broadcast duties with Hollywood
Despite these promising developments, McAfee‘s Hollywood push hasn’t come at the expense of his existing sports media roles, at least not yet.
He continues to anchor his daily ESPN show, contribute to College GameDay, and maintain ties to WWE, where he’s been a familiar voice for years.
Some analysts have already speculated that McAfee‘s expanding film schedule could prompt him to scale back other professional obligations if the acting opportunities continue to grow.
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