One of the last of the great “SportsCenter” anchors is poised to take the next step toward the top of ESPN.
Scott Van Pelt has the “inside track” to succeed the laid-off Suzy Kolber as host of “Monday Night Countdown” this season, according to the New York Post.
On Monday, the Post’s Andrew Marchand reported Van Pelt and “NFL Live” host Laura Rutledges were the two primary candidates to succeed Kolber, among the 20 or so on-air talents laid off by ESPN in late June.
As of Wednesday night, the final decision hadn’t been made. But it seems the winds are blowing in favor of the 57-year-old Van Pelt, who’s hosted ESPN’s popular Midnight “SportsCenter” for nearly eight years.
In fact, The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch tweeted Wednesday that the “decision had been made” for Van Pelt. He later clarified ESPN management viewed Van Pelt as their “choice,” – but there were still details to work out.
Translation: both sides still need to agree on the right dollar figure.
Don’t cry for Rutledge. She’s highly thought of inside Bristol and will continue to anchor the weekday “NFL Live.” But it feels like Van Pelt’s time now.
The 22-year ESPN veteran’s contract is expiring, said sources. Giving Van Pelt stewardship of “Monday Night Countdown” would be a nice perk to get him to extend his deal.
Debuting in 1993, “Monday Night Countdown” is one of ESPN’s two NFL pregame shows along with “Sunday NFL Countdown” hosted by Samantha Ponder.
Long filled by Chris Berman, the anchor job is one of the choicest gigs at ESPN. It will become even more critical as ESPN televises its first two Super Bowls after the 2026 and 2030 seasons.
Due to his friendship with Tiger Woods and Golf Channel’s resume, Van Pelt already has carved out a prominent role in ESPN’s Masters’ coverage.
With the NFL in his back pocket, the sky could be the limit for him hosting other prominent NFL, NBA, and MLB events owned by ESPN.
Van Pelt recently told Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated he doesn’t foresee hosting his late night show full-time for many more years.
“I’ve been doing this a long time where look, I don’t want to do that forever,” Van Pelt said. “And that would lead to the natural, ‘What would you want to do?’ I don’t know. I don’t know…I still enjoy it.”
Van Pelt’s move up to “Monday Night Countdown” would emphasize the tectonic shift in power at ESPN.
During its heyday in the ’80s and 90s, “SportsCenter” anchors like Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late, great Stuart Scott were the network’s biggest stars.
Then came the “Opinionists,” such as Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, and “Insiders,” like Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski.
Today, most of the highest-salaried talents lead ESPN’s pro and college football coverage.
Think Troy Aikman and Joe Buck’s respective $18 million and $15 million annual salaries for calling “Monday Night Football.”
Or Pat McAfee’s $17 million a year deal to license his eponymous, money-making show to ESPN.
McAfee has the best rolodex of any host in sports media right now. He’s also tight with Peyton Manning, whose ESPN portfolio keeps growing.
There’s “College GameDay” host Kirk Herbstreit, who pulls down an estimated $18 million a year for his twin gigs calling college football for ESPN and the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football” for Amazon Prime Video.
And don’t forget ESPN’s interest in Shannon Sharpe.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer could serve as a possible debate partner for Stephen A. Smith on “First Take” to replace the benched Michael Irvin. He could also appear as a contributor on both ESPN pregame shows and Rutledge’s “NFL Live.”
ESPN’s executive trio of Jimmy Pitaro, Burke Magnus, and Norby Williamson are up to their elbows in NFL and college football deal-making and drama.
Nothing moves the TV needle like football. The writing is on the wall for ESPN talent: If you want a big contract, and better job security, get yourself a piece of the network’s pro or college football coverage.
If you want to know what talent has the most juice at ESPN these days, then heed the advice of Bob Woodward’s best source: Follow the Money.
