• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 4, 2025
exclusive
Media

Neil Everett Could Be Next Big Talent Exiting ESPN

  • 21-year run could come to an end with his contract expiring this summer.
  • ESPN continues to play hardball in talent negotiations after the pandemic.
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Neil Everett, a staple at ESPN for 21 years, could leave the network this summer, sources told Front Office Sports.

Everett, 59, has been a fixture on the 1 a.m. ET “SportsCenter” with longtime partner Stan Verrett. 

Everett’s current deal with ESPN expires this summer, said sources. 

But ESPN might not want to break up the chemistry between Everett and Verrett, who both moved to the West Coast in March of 2009, to co-host the 1 a.m. ET SportsCenter. Only a decade later, their show often draws the largest SportsCenter audience of the day.

During his time with ESPN, Everett has interviewed many of the biggest names in sports, including the late Kobe Bryant. His hip, laconic style has inspired multiple parody accounts on Twitter. 

The Spokane, Wash., native cut his teeth on local Hawaiian television news before joining ESPN in July of 2000. He’s appeared in many of the comedic “This is SportsCenter” commercials.

If Everett leaves, his departure would continue a string of on-air talents leaving ESPN, including Kenny Mayne, Dan Le Batard, Mike Golic Sr., and Ariel Helwani.

ESPN is still signing plenty of deals. This year, the network announced new contracts for Chris Berman, Rece Davis, Michael Eaves, Charly Arnolt, and Tony Reali. 

Like other sports networks, ESPN believes some salaries spun out of control. After the financial hit sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s closely examining every deal coming up for renewal, said sources.

exclusive

ESPN Betting Analyst Kelly Stewart Out Over Tweets

Betting analyst Kelly Stewart is out at ESPN after a series of…
June 4, 2021

Describing himself as a “salary cap casualty,” Mayne recently left ESPN after a 27-year run. 

During an interview with The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch, Mayne said ESPN offered him a 61% pay cut and 14% reduction in his work load. Mayne was earning an estimated $1.7 million a year.

“They made an offer and I wasn’t exactly flattered and decided to reject it,” Mayne explained. 

Helwani, meanwhile, was also asked to take a pay cut, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. Helwani said leaving ESPN was his decision and that his final day will be June 15.

On June 9, ESPN announced that Verrett had signed a multi-year contract extension to continue hosting the 1 a.m. SportsCenter as well occasional 11 p.m. ET editions from Los Angeles. 

The announcement made no specific mention of Everett. Back in 2015, ESPN jointly announced it was extending Everett and Verrett.

That raises the question whether Verrett would continue to anchor the 1 a.m. show without his longtime partner. Or if ESPN would slide another personality into Everett’s chair. Everett has personally referred to himself and Verrett as “joined at the hip.”

ESPN declined to comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
George Shea

Hot Dog Maven George Shea on Chestnut Comeback and Investor Interest

George Shea runs a real estate PR firm and Major League Eating.

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Crest Surf Clubs
exclusive

New York Private Surf Club Wants to Raise $45M, Charge $100K

The average membership fee for Crest is $20,000 a year.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.