Josh Pate discusses new ESPN show, four faces of ESPN, Pat McAfee and future of media company with OutKick

Josh Pate is the most popular college football commentator on the internet.

This fall, he will also expand his partnership with ESPN, co-hosting a new Friday television program with "Bussin' With the Boys" hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan from college campuses across the country.

This week, Pate spoke to OutKick about how, not long ago, he was making just $27,000 a year and was eventually evicted from his home.

Today, he runs one of the most successful independent brands in sports media and says he turns down sponsorship opportunities to avoid overexposing himself.

During the discussion, I read aloud a text I received from a top sports media agent a few weeks ago, saying that the four people ESPN plans to build around for its future are Pat McAfee, Laura Rutledge, Peter Schrager and Josh Pate.

"Wow.

That's company that I don't think I belong in, because I've got pretty big reverence professionally for everyone you just mentioned.

I don't know Peter as well.

Laura Rutledge is a living, breathing angel.

Pat McAfee, to me, when you mention that name, you have to mention that name, and then you have to stop," Pate responded.

"I go back, I use this comparison sometimes.

I grew up on pro wrestling, ironically, speaking of Pat.

I remember since that Attitude Era, late '90s, when I would have been a kid growing up, there's been this whole industry that has scaled and blown up around retrospectively looking back at that era.

One of the concepts that always stood out to me and slapped me in the face, because I can relate to it and apply it to my professional life, is when people talk about the impact Steve Austin had on the industry of pro wrestling," he continued.