• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 17, 2025
exclusive
Media

‘SportsCenter’ Anchor Neil Everett Leaving ESPN After 23 Years

  • The 61-year-old Everett has been one of ESPN’s most popular anchors.
  • Longtime partner Stan Verrett’s Los Angeles studio role will not be impacted.
Neil Everett
James Snook: USA TODAY Sports

Anchor Neil Everett is leaving ESPN, Front Office Sports has confirmed.

The famous “SportsCenter” anchor confirmed he’s the latest on-air talent to leave during the Walt Disney Co.-mandated downsizing of ESPN’s on-air TV/radio talent.

The 61-year-old Everett has been one of ESPN’s most popular anchors for 23 years.

The Portland native will seek to increase his role with the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. He also has several side projects in the works. 

“Bartender…last call,” Everett said in a statement to Front Office Sports. 

He added: “ESPN changed my life, but now it’s time for me to change my life. Time to write a new chapter.” 

The wisecracking Everett and Stan Verrett have worked together in Los Angeles since 2009. Their late edition from the West Coast puts them among the longest-running and most effective “SportsCenter” duos ever. 

Chris Cheliios
exclusive

NHL Analyst Chris Chelios Won’t Be Renewed By ESPN

The Hall of Fame defenseman’s departure was not performance based.
June 5, 2023

Everett’s known for his “Bartender, Jack” call on home runs and musical references. He’s also co-starred in some of the network’s mockumentary “This is SportsCenter” commercials.

Everett spent 15 years in local TV in Hawaii before joining ESPN in July 2000 (Hence his “Aloha” call).

Verrett tweeted a salute to his longtime partner reading: “I started at ESPN in 2000, a few months after Neil Everett. We joined up for ‘SportsCenter’ from LA in 2009. For 14 years, he was the best teammate I could imagine. Selfless, caring, generous, and a pro’s pro. He’s moving on now, but we are brothers for life. That’ll never change.”

One source said Everett was offered a new deal at a reduced salary — and turned it down, similar to Kenny Mayne in 2021. Another said his contract was not renewed. In 2021, Mayne told Richard Deitsch of The Athletic that ESPN offered him a 61% paycut.

ESPN prepares for another round of layoffs.

With Layoffs Looming, ESPN Staffers ‘Looking Over Their Shoulders’

Staffers brace for another round of layoffs.
May 12, 2023

An ESPN spokesman confirmed that Everett’s contract was not being renewed.

ESPN previously announced contract extension for anchors Everett, Verrett, Ashley Brewer and Linda Cohn in July, 2021.

Everett’s pending departure doesn’t appear to impact Verrett, Brewer and Cohn’s roles at ESPN’s Los Angeles studio operation, said sources.

Separately, Everett has served with the Trail Blazers for two years. He’s worked both pregame and post-game shows. He also hosted a pair of alternate telecasts this season.

Front Office Sports previously broke the news that ESPN would not renew NHL analyst Chris Chelios’ contract. More front-facing talent names will emerge this month as the network completes it cost-cutting “talent exercise.”

The ESPN budget cuts are part of Disney chief executive officer Bob Iger’s strategy to slash 7,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in costs worldwide.

At the same time, ESPN is still spending big money on new talent. It just gave a monster $85 million, five-year deal to breakout star Pat McAfee.

ESPN declined to comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NHL Expansion Fee Soars to $2B As League’s Value Surges

The buy-in price for the league will more than triple.
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.
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.

SEC Games Help ABC Dominate College Football Ratings at Midseason

Texas–Ohio State on Fox remains the most-watched game of the season.
Jan 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Wells Fargo Center

Golden Knights Add Hockey Canada Trial’s Carter Hart

Hart is the only acquitted player to sign with an NHL team.

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.
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.

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

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.
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.
MLS
October 14, 2025

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
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.
Aces
October 10, 2025

WNBA Finals Most Viewed In 25 Years Despite Possible Aces Sweep

Games 2 and 3 have averaged more than 1.2 million viewers.
Spectrum
October 10, 2025

ESPN Streaming Service at Core of New Spectrum Plan

The No. 1 U.S. distributor further blends linear and streaming TV.