• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 18, 2025
exclusive
Media

Jay Harris Signs Long-Term Contract Extension To Stay At ESPN

  • ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris happy about contract extension: ‘I’m where I want to be, doing what I love to do.”
  • TV audiences for Harris and Hannah Storm’s Tuesday morning SportsCenter rose 8% in September.
Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; ESPN sportscaster Jay Harris on the field prior to the Celebration Bowl between the Grambling State Tigers and the North Carolina Central Eagles at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Jay Harris has signed a long-term contract extension that will keep him on the SportsCenter desk well past his 17th anniversary with the network next year.

“I’m happy. I’m where I want to be, doing what I love to do. I have no complaints,” said Harris.

Only a few years ago, media experts were predicting the death of ESPN’s flagship SportsCenter franchise. Since fans could get the game highlights they wanted on their cell phones, the desire for that on television was ending, they said.

However, Norby Williamson, ESPN’s executive senior vice president of studio and event production, ordered up a back-to-basics approach on SportsCenter. Williamson counted on veterans like Harris, Hannah Storm, Kevin Negandhi, Kenny Mayne and Sage Steele, along with relative newcomers like Elle Duncan, to deliver the SportsCenter fans knew and loved.

There’s more straight news, highlights and storytelling; less opinion and debate. Since then, the show’s numbers have rebounded in a big way.

Take the 7 a.m. Tuesday morning SportsCenter, currently co-anchored by Harris and Storm after Monday Night Football. The Harris-Storm edition averaged 328,000 viewers in September, up 8% from September, 2018. It marked their show’s fifth increase over the last six months in year-over-year gains.

Harris and Storm also co-host SportsCenter on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Their weekend SportsCenter:AM posted it’s fifth consecutive month of year-over-year increases in September. The combined Saturday-Sunday shows averaged 637,000 viewers, up 11% from the same period last year.

Storm calls Harris a “giving colleague” who’s easy to work with. “He’s so relaxed and confident on the air,” she said.

Meanwhile, Negandhi/Steele’s 6 p.m SportsCenter grew its September viewership 12% to an average 576,000 viewers vs. 513,000 the same period last year. 

Scott Van Pelt’s solo midnight SportsCenter was up 6% to 526,000 average viewers.

Things are always changing in sports TV. Harris says the decline and fall of SportsCenter was greatly exaggerated.

“We are really good at what we do. I don’t mind tooting our own horn. And people recognize that. That’s why they come back,” Harris said. “That’s why they turn on the television and watch the highlights because it’s something different from what they can get on their phone. They like the personalities.”

READ MORE: Cassidy Hubbarth’s Hoop Streams To Become Season-Long ESPN Show

There had also been the criticism that ESPN and its studio shows like SportsCenter were diving too much into politics. 

When he came over from parent Disney, new ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro laid down the law: Avoid pure politics unless sports and politics legitimately intersected on a story. Pitaro had to call Dan Le Batard on the carpet this summer after the TV/radio host went off about Trump, 

Harris said he agrees with Williamson/Pitaro approach, with the proof being that 
ESPN’s numbers are up virtually across the board.

“We don’t plan SportsCenter around Congressional hearings. We talk about the stories as they come up. And whatever substance is in said story. That was another narrative that got out of hand.”

There’s always been a big, vocal segment of ESPN viewers who want the network to just stick to sports. 

READ MORE: His & Hers: Jemele Hill, Michael Smith Could Reunite Again

One problem nagging ESPN is that the debate over Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players kneeling for social justice became so incendiary in a divided country that media were blamed just for covering it, said Harris.

“They didn’t want to hear it. That’s another problem that I can’t solve in society. People not wanting to come out of their own silos –  and listen to different opinions on different things. Just listen. People don’t like to listen. People don’t like to read. People don’t get past the headlines. I think we cover the news. We cover stories. We always have and always will.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
IndyCar driver Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood, left, celebrates winning the Detroit Grand Prix with team co-owner Dan Towriss in Detroit on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss Defends  $700 Million Apple Deal

“We’re going to have a bigger reach than what people think.”
Apr 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an NBA basketball and backyard and NBA logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Tries to Solve Fragmentation Issue It Helped Create

A new “Tap to Watch” feature will direct fans to live games.
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Second place Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) sprays champagne on winner Mercedes driver George Russell (63) at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Apple Officially Taking F1 Rights From ESPN in $700M Deal

ESPN has broadcast F1 in the U.S. since 2018.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of ESPN broadcast camera during a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.

ESPN’s New NBA Segment Resists Hot Takes

LeBron James tweeted in favor of the new segment.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.
October 14, 2025

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) attempts to make a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton (29) in the first half at Ohio Stadium.
October 16, 2025

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
MLS
October 14, 2025

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Micah Parsons
exclusive
October 14, 2025

NFL Scorigami Creator Blames Glitches on Twitter Platform Changes

The bot has been glitching all NFL season, and fans have noticed.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
October 13, 2025

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and NBA app logo and basketballs in front of the base during warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Suns at the American Airlines Center.
October 13, 2025

NBA Will Take Over League Pass After WBD Divorce

The league now has full operational control of those media assets.