Pat McAfee Eyed as ‘Next Sylvester Stallone’ Amid Hollywood Push and WWE Return Talk

Pat McAfee’s WWE future is still up in the air — but behind the scenes, a much bigger play is unfolding.

As speculation continues about McAfee returning to WWE television, a new report paints a clear picture of where his career could be heading next. The former NFL punter is being positioned for something far beyond the wrestling ring, with major Hollywood backing already in motion.

According to Bloomberg, powerful entertainment executive Ari Emanuel is personally pushing to elevate McAfee into a crossover star on the level of one of Hollywood’s most recognizable names.

"Ari Emanuel is trying to turn Pat McAfee into the next Sylvester Stallone."

That comparison isn’t just talk. McAfee has already landed a four-episode role on Paramount+’s Tulsa King, sharing the screen with Sylvester Stallone himself. The role goes beyond a quick cameo, signaling that studios see real potential in him as an on-screen personality.

At the same time, McAfee is expanding into film. He’s been cast in The Mosquito Bowl, a sports drama directed by Peter Berg and based on the book by Friday Night Lights author Buzz Bissinger. With Berg operating within Emanuel’s circle, the move further shows how calculated this Hollywood push really is.

Even with this growing acting resume, McAfee isn’t stepping away from his other commitments. He remains a major presence on ESPN with The Pat McAfee Show, contributes to College GameDay, and continues to be tied to WWE as a commentator and occasional in-ring personality.

That balancing act is exactly what makes this situation so interesting. WWE insiders still expect McAfee to return, but the scale of this Hollywood opportunity suggests his schedule could look very different moving forward.

If this trajectory continues, McAfee won’t just be bouncing between WWE and ESPN — he could be stepping into a full-fledged entertainment career with major studio backing.

Do you think Pat McAfee can juggle WWE, ESPN, and Hollywood at the same time, or is this the start of him transitioning away from wrestling entirely? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.