Pat McAfee in Netflix's "The Mosquito Bowl" Credit: Netflix
By Brendon Kleen on

Pat McAfee is getting his Hollywood moment.

The ESPN megastar, reportedly on the verge of signing a $60-plus million contract extension that will see him take a much larger role in the Worldwide Leader’s NFL coverage, and fresh off the release of his debut musical album, will also star in his first feature film this fall.

Netflix has announced the details of McAfee’s role in The Mosquito Bowl, the latest film from popular director Peter Berg. Per the streamer, McAfee will play a drill sergeant. The story follows a group of fictionalized college football players who enlist in the Marine Corps during World War II. The “bowl” named in the title refers to a football game the unit organizes as they prepare to ship out to the Pacific Front, and is based on the true story of a game played between two Marine regiments before the invasion of Okinawa that was later dubbed The Mosquito Bowl.

As part of the announcement, Netflix revealed The Mosquito Bowl will be in theaters starting Oct. 30, a relative rarity for the streamer. It will be available on Netflix in time for Thanksgiving.

Previously, McAfee teased his involvement in the project during a Super Bowl media row interview with his agent, Ari Emmanuel, in early 2025. Emmanuel — a lead executive at WME and TKO, the WWE and UFC parent company — reportedly has big plans to make McAfee a crossover entertainment star. Acting is one area where McAfee has not yet made an imprint, and The Mosquito Bowl will change that.

Earlier this year, McAfee walked away from WWE after an angle with veteran superstar Randy Orton, as he seemingly widens his role on ESPN’s live sports coverage.

About Brendon Kleen

Brendon is an Editorial Lead at Awful Announcing overseeing digital content and special projects. He lives in Phoenix and has covered sports media for Awful Announcing since 2023.

View all posts by Brendon Kleen