Pat McAfee has officially announced the return of his popular kicking contest, now titled "Kicking is Easy," for a fourth season on ESPN's College GameDay. This announcement comes after speculation last December that the contest might come to an end. However, during the season opener at LSU in Baton Rouge, McAfee revealed that he has secured a sponsorship agreement with Home Depot, which has been a long-time supporter of College GameDay.
In the previous three seasons, McAfee personally funded the contest, distributing over $6 million in rewards to participants. The financial burden of the contest raised concerns about its future, especially after McAfee hinted at the possibility of discontinuing it. As reported by Awful Announcing, the most likely solutions for continuing the contest included either a new sponsorship deal or a financial arrangement tied to McAfee's rumored lucrative contract extension with ESPN, reportedly worth over $60 million annually.
With the new sponsorship from Home Depot, the stakes for the kicking contest have increased significantly. Home Depot will match the dollar amount that McAfee puts up for the entire 2026 season. This partnership not only ensures the contest's financial viability but also enhances its appeal, as participants now have the chance to win even larger sums.
During the College GameDay broadcast, McAfee enthusiastically shared the news, stating, "Home Depot has said they will match anything that I put up for the rest of the season." This announcement was met with excitement from ESPN's college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who applauded the generous offer. McAfee elaborated that this year, he would start with a $500,000 payout, which would be matched by Home Depot, bringing the total to $1 million for the season opener.
As the contest kicked off, contestant Bruce attempted a kick for the $1 million prize but narrowly missed. He was then given a second chance for a $500,000 kick, which he also failed to convert. Despite the misses, the excitement surrounding the contest remains high, with fans eagerly anticipating how much money will be awarded throughout the season.
The partnership with Home Depot marks a significant development for the contest, which has become a staple of College GameDay, engaging fans and participants alike. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the collaboration impacts the contest's payouts and overall popularity.
With the backing of Home Depot, McAfee's "Kicking is Easy" contest is set to attract even more attention this season, and fans are looking forward to the thrilling moments that lie ahead. The combination of high stakes and engaging competition promises to make this season one of the most exciting yet.
Leave a Comment