ESPN signs SEC Network talent to multi-year contract extension

Ryan McGee has been a staple of the SEC Network and ESPN Radio over the years. So it makes sense why ESPN wanted to lock him up for a few more years.

ESPN announced McGee signed a multi-year contract extension on Thursday. It means he’ll remain a senior writer for ESPN.com and co-host on ESPN Radio with Marty Smith.

“I’ve worked for ESPN in some way, shape or form for my entire adult life and I’m beyond thrilled to keep it going,” McGee said in a statement. “It’s family and I’ve always tried to do my work in a way that honors that family, my ESPN mentors and coworkers of past and present…even the ones who made fun of my accent when I first moved to Bristol right out of the University of Tennessee. Y’all know who you are.”

McGee joined ESPN in 1994 as part of the production staff for “rpm2night” and a contributor to ESPN The Magazine. He then worked as a producer for “Totally Nascar” for FOX Sports Net and as editor-in-chief of NASCAR Media Group. In fact, McGee told the Knoxville News-Sentinel he wrote for ESPN under the name “Al Covington” while at FOX Sports Net.

He has hosted “Marty and McGee” with Smith for years, and it moved to ESPN Radio in 2015. Three years later, it added a TV broadcast on SEC Network, where it’s been ever since. The two are part of SEC Nation this year, and McGee also contributes to SportsCenter and other programming.

His writing goes beyond ESPN.com, though. McGee has written five books, including “Racing to the Finish: My Story” with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., which became a New York Times bestseller.

“Ryan is a prolific writer who makes our shows better in so many ways,” ESPN senior coordinating producer Tom McCollum in a statement. “He has an uncanny ability to connect with viewers and readers. His storytelling acumen and tenacious work ethic make him a huge asset to our platforms. We’re excited he’ll be part of our programming for the next several years.”

ESPN’s timing of the announcement comes as Marty and McGee are getting ready to head to Tennessee this week. McGee graduated from Tennessee in 1993, meaning this weekend’s trip to Rocky Top will be a homecoming. He’ll have a nice new contract extension to celebrate, as well.

They could be in for a good one as Tennessee takes on No. 1 Georgia at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.