Pat McAfee is not expected at WrestleMania 39.
WWE CEO Nick Khan told The Marchand & Ourand Sports Media Podcast that the company has "no plans" for McAfee to be at the event this year. McAfee has not returned to the SmackDown commentary desk following his hiatus to join ESPN College Gameday last year. He made a one-night return at the Royal Rumble in January but is currently not expected back full-time.
Khan said of McAfee:
We have no plans to have him there this weekend.
The world is his oyster. He's 36 years old and look at his relevancy factor when you talk to young children. I have two young children, when I talk to them it's often, 'McAfee, McAfee, McAfee.' That's what's in the wheelhouse for them. So, if you look at any of the traditional buyers, what do they want? They want a young diverse audience. What does McAfee bring? He brings a young, diverse audience. You notice he doesn't get political, extreme, either way. He has Aaron Rodgers on, he treats him respectfully, develops that relationship, he becomes the go-to home of Aaron Rodgers. You see that with more athletes and Pat. He's not looking to annihilate anybody or crucify them, he's looking to have good content and his content has been terrific. So, he'll determine, ultimately, where he wants his home to be and our hope is that he does more with us.
McAfee's WWE future garnered speculation earlier this month following Wade Barrett telling the Daily Star his role on the SmackDown commentary team is "as permanent as you can ever be in a role in WWE."
Shortly after Barrett's statements, McAfee posted to Twitter that he still has "massive plans" regarding his journey to the WWE Hall of Fame. He wrote:
"A lot of wrestling chatter about me right now.. I think about wrestling everyday..that dream isn’t done," McAfee tweeted. "My business is currently rather active and exigent…+ baby on the way…timing is everything I still have MASSIVE plans for my journey to the WWE HOF someday. Believe that."
Last month, McAfee reflected on his career and what his future in WWE could hold. He wrote:
"Baby girl on the way… what’s that mean for my future with @WWE? I LOVE it but, they’re allegedly gonna be sold, who’s buying them? Do I want to work/make money for those people?"
McAfee recently announced that he will return to ESPN College Gameday next season.
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