• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Rich Eisen Will Host More ‘SportsCenters’ After Standout Return

Eisen’s nostalgia-oriented Monday “SportsCenter” drew rave reviews. The NFL Network anchor will be back on ESPN for more editions.

YouTube/ESPN

What’s old is new again. 

NFL Network’s Rich Eisen will return to his old stomping grounds in Bristol, Conn., to shoot another special edition of SportsCenter for ESPN this fall.

The former SportsCenter anchor, who drew rave reviews for his first appearance on the show in 22 years Monday night, will headline “periodic special editions” of ESPN’s flagship show moving forward, according to an ESPN spokesperson. 

ESPN says Eisen’s Monday edition averaged 708,000 viewers. That’s 67% higher than the average 11 p.m. ET SportsCenter—and slightly higher than the last SportsCenter Eisen anchored on the network in 2003, which drew 670,000 viewers.

Eisen broke out as a SportsCenter anchor from 1996 to 2003 before becoming the face and voice of the then-new NFL Network. The Rich Eisen Show will debut Sept. 2 on ESPN+, Disney+, and ESPN Radio. While Eisen will maintain his lead anchor role at NFL Network, he’s expected to make select appearances across ESPN’s studio programming.

Utilizing Eisen in the future marks a smart play by SportsCenter. The show is still one of ESPN’s most valuable properties. The 56-year-old anchor is a living symbol of the show’s glory days in the 1990s, when wisecracking SportsCenter anchors like himself, Dan Patrick, and Craig Kilborn were the proverbial coolest kids in the room. ESPN threw everything into Eisen’s nostalgic return, including throwback horns, music, and graphics from a broadcast era gone by. He was joined in-studio by NFL analyst Mina Kimes.

Eisen is also closely linked to the late, great anchor Stuart Scott, who’s revered inside and outside ESPN. Fighting back tears, Eisen delivered an emotional tribute to Scott, his former on-air partner who died after a battle with cancer in 2015. Eisen’s continued presence on SportsCenter will reinforce the corporate marriage of the once-rival ESPN and NFLN if the deal is approved by regulatory authorities.

ESPN recently signed 23-year-old Katie Feeney as a sports and lifestyle creator. The Penn State grad will be the daily lead for SportsCenter on SnapChat while making appearances on College GameDay, Sunday NFL Countdown, and Monday Night Countdown. But SportsCenter’s most loyal fans are older viewers who grew up watching the show. Given the popular reaction to Eisen’s appearance, ESPN might want to create an oldies version of the iconic show.

During a press conference previewing ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer platform, president of content Burke Magnus said he was thrilled by the widespread acclaim for Eisen’s SportsCenter return Monday night.

“That was pretty cool. I woke up to a bushel of text messages and emails,” said Magnus.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; British and United States flags on the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

From Dublin to London: Vikings on NFL’s First Multi-Country Road Trip

The Jaguars have previously played consecutive games in the U.K.
Sep 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Nabers was carted off the field with an injury after the play.

Malik Nabers’s Torn ACL Rekindles NFL’s Grass vs. Turf Debate

The Giants star tore his ACL on MetLife Stadium’s artificial surface.
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans co-founder and former owner Janice McNair (left) sits with Texans chief executive officer Cal McNair and wife Hannah McNair in front of family members of Texans former player Andre Johnson (not pictured) during a ceremony at halftime of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium.

NFL Sued for $100M Over Efforts to ‘Silence’ Brother of Texans Owner

Robert Cary McNair Jr. says the NFL helped remove him from roles.

MLB National TV Ratings Rise by Double Digits in 2025

The league posts audience increases across national and local television.

Featured Today

Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.
exclusive

Fever Star Aliyah Boston Poised To Land NBC/Peacock Deal

The WNBA star is finalizing a deal to call women’s college basketball.
Emily Kaplan ESPN
exclusive
September 26, 2025

ESPN Reimagines Emily Kaplan’s NHL TV Role

Emily Kaplan will migrate from sideline reporter to NHL studio insider.
exclusive
September 29, 2025

Chris Haynes, Marcus Thompson Join Amazon Prime NBA Team

Haynes is an NBA insider, while Thompson is a reporter and columnist.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
exclusive
September 26, 2025

NBC Leaning on Celebrity Star Power for Winter Olympics

NBC hopes Glen Powell can bring viewers to the Winter Olympics.
September 26, 2025

NBC Warns of YouTube TV Blackout As Big Sporting Events Loom

The Google-owned outlet is in three separate carriage fights.
Sep 26, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Team USA golfers Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley walk out to the first tee on the first day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
September 26, 2025

NBC Panned for Early Ryder Cup Coverage: Bad Sound, Too Many Ads

“Missing an incredible amount of shots.”
September 25, 2025

Have We Reached Peak Athlete Podcast?

How many athlete podcasts can the market support?