Pat McAfee to stream “College GameDay” for free on X amid ESPN-YouTube TV standoff
As ESPN’s carriage dispute drags on, Pat McAfee is once again taking matters into his own hands, bringing College GameDay straight to fans, no cable required.
Pat McAfee has never been one to sit on the sidelines, and now he’s proving it again. With ESPN and YouTube TV still locked in a dispute heading into Week 11, McAfee announced that College GameDay will stream for free on his @PatMcAfeeShow account on X this Saturday.
“Breaking news - GameDay will be available on X, on our account, in its entirety,” McAfee said on Friday. “If you are in the middle of this dispute that is taking place between ESPN and YouTube TV, if you have the X account at all, GameDay will be live.”
BREAKING NEWS: @CollegeGameDay will be available on our @X tomorrow for the second week in a row..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 7, 2025
I'm thankful that we're able to do this #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/DyFk06IwYo
It’s the second straight week McAfee has offered the show to fans this way. Last week’s free stream, arranged in less than an hour according to McAfee, drew more than 2 million views from fans unable to access ESPN.
The move marks a first-of-its-kind workaround for a sports show of GameDay’s scale, and it highlights the changing landscape of how fans consume live sports content, especially during corporate standoffs that threaten to blackout major events.
A major GameDay return for Texas Tech
Saturday’s College GameDay broadcast will air live from Lubbock, Texas, where No. 8 Texas Tech hosts No. 9 BYU in a top-10 Big 12 clash.
It’s GameDay’s first trip to Texas Tech since 2008, when the Red Raiders famously upset Texas in one of the most iconic finishes in college football history.
This week’s guest picker is none other than Patrick Mahomes, the most celebrated player in Texas Tech history and current NFL superstar.
Your @CollegeGameDay guest picker 💪#WreckEm | @PatrickMahomes pic.twitter.com/Mh8qh25yp8
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 7, 2025
McAfee’s middle-ground Message
While other ESPN personalities have publicly called on fans to pressure YouTube TV, McAfee has taken a more neutral stance, criticizing both sides for leaving viewers hanging.
“We’re all done with it,” McAfee said earlier this week. “Nobody cares about billion-dollar negotiations when fans just want to watch the games.”
Still, he credited ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro for helping make the X stream possible, calling him “a guy who actually listens to fans.”
Where to watch the Texas Tech–BYU game
While College GameDay will stream live and free on X from 9 a.m. to noon ET, fans still need access to ESPN to watch the actual game between Texas Tech and BYU.
Here are your current options:
- Hulu + Live TV - Includes ESPN and ESPN2 (Disney-owned).
- FuboTV - Offers ESPN networks and a free trial for new users.
- Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) - Includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, and ACC Network.
- Traditional cable or satellite TV - Still the most reliable way to access ESPN during carriage disputes.
Kickoff between the Red Raiders and Cougars is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment