Pat McAfee reveals he’s been denied access to broadcast the Masters for 3 straight years

For anyone concerned about Jason Kelce intruding on the Masters later this month as a correspondent for ESPN, Pat McAfee has a message.

While applauding Kelce for getting the assignment after a strong performance at a TGL event last month, McAfee revealed that he has tried to get The Pat McAfee Show approved to air from Augusta National for the past three years of his partnership with ESPN, and has been denied each time.

So the message from McAfee to golf fans Wednesday on his show was that the standards are still very high.

“The internet was rude about (Kelce’s role). Obviously the internet goes on to say, ‘We don’t need Jason Kelce at the Masters.’ And that’s probably a valid point, if I had to guess,” McAfee said.

“And I’m only saying that strictly because we have attempted to be part of the Masters at the Wednesday Par-3 thing for three consecutive years now. And for the people that are mad about Jason Kelce being part of the Masters, I’ve got good news for you: They told us to go to hell. So I think you should be happy about that, that they do try to preserve it as a whole. They have a certain thing that they are looking for.”

Jason Kelce is headed to Augusta National for The Masters Par 3 Contest..

We think he will be an added bonus to the coverage#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bMgYwCdFC9

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 1, 2026

Kelce will interview players and their families during the annual Par-3 contest on Wednesday before the tournament begins. The longtime Philadelphia Eagles captain has been adventurous during his ESPN tenure, trying a late-night show last year before settling into golf work this spring.

But with such a firm structure in place with its broadcast partners (Augusta notoriously does not take payment from CBS, which produces early-round coverage for ESPN, but expects a high level of editorial control in return), McAfee bringing his whole show there is a big ask.

For his part, McAfee said he “understand(s) and respect(s)” the denial from the powers that be. And, he said, he is glad the Masters are keeping their unique spirit, even if it doesn’t include him.