The 25 greatest ESPN anchors of all time

Anderson enjoyed a quarter-century as SportsCenter host at ESPN (1999-2024) and is the consummate professional. In addition, Anderson helms the network's coverage of major college track and field and the Boston and New York marathons. Not to be forgotten, Anderson also served as co-host of ABC's Wipeout, the extreme obstacle-course series that proved quite popular from 2008-'14.

Sure, Berman hasn't always been every ESPN watcher's cup of tea over the years. But he's one of the first anchors to have fun at his job. He joined the network a month after it came on the air in 1979, and was a longtime SportsCenter staple, with his classic nicknames (Andre "Bad Moon" Rison, Chuck "New Kids On" Knoblauch, Jim "Two Sillouhettes On" Deshaies) and catchphrases ("Back, back, back, back...Gone!"). A six-time winner of the National Sports Media Association's National Sportscaster of the Year Award, Berman is also synonymous with ESPN's NFL coverage, notably through Sunday NFL Countdown, NFL Primetime , and Monday Night Countdown. 

With ESPN since 1996, "Bucci" is another longtime SportsCenter favorite. However, he's also been the network's longtime authority when it comes to hockey coverage. He served as host NHL 2Night (1998-2004), and currently anchors the NHL on ESPN and provides play-by-play for the Frozen Four. Buccigross's perfect balance of useful knowledge and subtly perfect humor has allowed him to shine bright throughout his run in Bristol. 

Another SportsCenter O.G., Cohn has been at the desk since 1992, and remains one of the most respected and lauded sports media professionals in the business -- regardless of gender. She hosted her record 5,000th edition of SportsCenter on Feb. 21, 2016, and is still going strong. Though Cohn's knowledge of all sports is massive, she particularly shines when taking the NHL. In 2008, she released her highly praised memoir Cohn-Head: A No-Holds-Barred Account of Breaking Into the Boys' Club.

Duncan has been with ESPN since 2016 and has made quite a name for herself in the process. Notably, anchoring SportsCenter, alongside the underrated Kevin Negandhi. However, Duncan has taken her career to the next level over the past few years while anchoring the ESPN/ABC coverage of women's college basketball and WNBA (with the entertaining duo of Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter) and contributing to those networks' NBA coverage. 

To sports fans of a certain age, Eisen is best known for his work at NFL Network and hosting The Rich Eisen Show radio show and podcast. However, from 1996 to 2003, Eisen earned some star quality while co-anchoring SportsCenter. Eisen's dry wit and timely delivery, especially when it comes to humor, have always been a personal strength and have truly been honed at ESPN. 

It took some time for Everett to find his on-air rhythm with SportsCenter, but he eventually became a viewer favorite. From 2007 to '23, Everett hosted the late-night edition of the popular news and highlight show. His dry humor and subtly deep tamber grew on SportsCenter fans, as did his moments of inflexion that came with a healthy dose of bombast. Everett left the network in 2023, amid ESPN's growing need to cut costs and popular talent. 

To the casual SportsCenter viewer, Grande and Gumbel might not register in terms of prominence. However, they are a vital pair nonetheless. Grande anchored the very first SportsCenter broadcast on Sept 7, 1979, along with Lee Leonard. He also hosted the first incarnation of Baseball Tonight and coverage of the NFL Draft. And, spent years calling games for the Cincinnati Reds. Leonard, meanwhile, spoke the first words on SportsCenter, and his past experience working for CBS and NBC helped set the stage for others, especially those on this list, to emulate.

Kilborn is one of the first ESPN personalities to become a celebrity, notably for co-anchoring SportsCenter from 1993-'96. Known for his iconic highlight catchphrases likes "Release, Rotation, Splash" or "Jumanji", while hosting the "The Feel Good Edition" of the network's flagship show, Kiborn parlayed that success into hosting Comedy Central's The Daily Show. "Craigers" eventually moved to CBS, where he replaced Tom Snyder as host of The Late Late Show. 

Levy has been a prominent presence at ESPN since 1993. Another longtime SportsCenter anchor, Levy has also showcased his versatility while at the network. Notably, as one of the network's central figures when it comes to NHL -- and overall hockey -- coverage. He's also been part of the ESPN/ABC NFL coverage, as well as Major League Baseball and Monday Night Football.

A consummate professional, Ley was a father-figure of sorts at ESPN. He remains the longest-tenured on-air ESPN employee, beginning his career there within the first week of its existence in 1979, until his retirement in June 2019. Ley, the winner of several Emmy Awards for his work, was a highly influential figure at ESPN. He mentored SportsCenter hosts for years, and mixing his vaunted professionalism with some well-timed humor that was often unheralded. 

Mayne was born to entertain, and like the aforementioned Craig Kilborn, is a comedian in a sports broadcaster's body. He was a standout at ESPN from 1994 to 2021, a SportsCenter legend. Known for his casual delivery, whether calling highlights or adding humor to his anchoring, Mayne was also one of the most versatile talents at ESPN (working on the likes of RPM 2Night, 2 Minute Drill game show). While he starred on SportsCenter, Mayne shone when telling stories of athletes and sports personalities off the field, notably through Kenny Mayne's Wider World of Sports, a series that ran on the network's television and web platforms.

Before starring as part of the Fox Sports family, Myers enjoyed a successful 10-year run at ESPN (1988-'98). He served as a popular SportsCenter anchor and also hosted Baseball Tonight. In addition, Myers earned raves while working on the interview series Up Close, for which he earned an Emmy Award for his exclusive interview with O.J. Simpson, after his murder trial and civil lawsuit.

Already a respected and successful broadcast journalist when he joined ESPN in 1992, he was the first of his three stints with the network. However, Olbermann quickly became a star via SportsCenter.  Witty, informative, not afraid to break character, crack a smile and artfully play off fellow star co-anchor Dan Patrick (more on him in a bit), Olbermann transcended the network when it came to pop culture popularity. There was an even that brief stretch where Olbermann was the marquee talent for the launch of ESPN2 in 1993, when she sported a leather jacket to attract a younger, hipper audience. That lasted a year. Olbermann, who has remained a prominent sports/media news figure in between and after his ESPN tenures, is a  Cable ACE Award winner for Best Sportscaster.

Keith Olbermann's partner in SportsCenter crime on "The Big Show." With Patrick leading the way, the two were must-see television for sports fans in the evening. Patrick, arguably the most popular and recognized ESPN personality, hosted SportsCenter from 1989 to 2006. He likes fans to know that we are all "day to day." Patrick has long hosted his popular radio show, co-anchored NBC's  Football Night in America , and has made cameos in several movies over the years. Like Kilborn and Olbermann, Patrick has transcended ESPN to become a media star who remains highly entertaining. 

An ESPN staple since 1993, Ravech is likely best known for calling baseball -- MLB, College World Series, and Little League World Series -- for the network, in addition to serving as host of the popular Baseball Tonight. Of course, Ravech cut his teeth while co-anchoring SportsCenter from 1993-2008, always lending a pleasant and informative approach to his work. Ravech is particularly good at going inside the numbers or behind the scenes when bringing insight to his highlights or game coverage.

Roberts has indeed transcended her time at ESPN (1990-2005), where she was a SportsCenter fixture for years (where she often spurted "Go on with your bad self!"). She was also the first woman to co-host NFL Primetime. While at ESPN, Roberts did work for ABC, notably on Good Morning America, where she's been a co-anchor since 2005. A legend in the business, Roberts remains a champion and activist for women's sports at all levels, and is a member of  the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame -- due to her contributions to the sport.

A beloved sports media personality beyond the halls of ESPN's Bristol studios. Scott was a trendsetter while hosting SportsCenter, though his career at the network began on ESPN2 in the mid-1990s. However, he eventually made his way over to the original, where he teamed with the likes of SportsCenter stars Steve Levy, Kenny Mayne, Dan Patrick, and Rich Eisen. Scott, who appealed to the network's non-white audience, incorporated rap, hip hop, and contemporary references into his broadcasts ("Boo-yah," "As cool as the other side of the pillow). Scott was also featured on ESPN's NBA, NFL, and MLB coverage, as well as starring in many of the popular SportsCenter commercials. Scott continued to work following his cancer diagnosis in 2007, and was honored with the 2014 Jimmy V Award, less than six month before his 2015 death at age 49.

This list highlights the on-air talent of the ESPN anchors. From that standpoint, Steele must be included, despite some controversial comments she made in 2021. Which, in turn, earned her suspension from the network that she left two years later. While at ESPN, however, Steele was a respected and successful SportsCenter anchor (Noon and 6 p.m. Eastern editions) and reporter, who also played a prominent role on NBA Countdown for both ESPN and ABC. 

Another highly respected broadcaster, Steiner, who joined ESPN in 1988, is also a SportsCenter. But, also knew how to have a good time on air. Like the time he couldn't contain his laughter while highlighting Carl Lewis' 1993 bungling of"The Star-Spangled Banner." Or, when he appeared in the famed post-apocalyptic-Y2K-themed SportsCenter commercial where he sported a necktie around his head and war paint, while crying to viewers, "Follow me to freedom!" Steiner is an Emmy Award winner and member of the National Radio Hall of Fame, notably for his work calling Los Angeles Dodgers games.

Unlike others on this list, Storm was an established media veteran (having worked at CNN, CBS and NBC) by the time she landed at ESPN in 2008. Since she's brought her trademark professionalism and subtle flair to the SportsCenter desk, while also providing hosts and reporter duties to ESPN/ABC when it came to the NBA. Storm is married to longtime NBC Sports commentator Dan Hicks.

There really isn't a sport that Tirico can't make interesting. His conversational style and knowing when to inflect or demure are why he did play-by-play when ESPN took over Monday Night Football in 2006. His run there lasted until 2015. That came after Tirico began his ESPN career in 1991 as a SportsCenter anchor, then became the first host of ESPNews. He also anchored Monday Night Countdown and ESPN/ABC's coverage of the U.S. Open tennis and the FIFA World Cup before heading off to NBC.

It's safe to say that "SVP" is the current face of ESPN -- and Sportscenter. Van Pelt joined ESPN in 2001 and worked his way up to becoming one of the network's most prominent personalities. Van Pelt's conversational approach and controlled exuberance when delivering the day's highlights have made him one of the best in the business. Sportscenter is essentially the "SVP" show, while he also hosts Monday Night Countdown and anchors the network's coverage of major golf tournaments.

Verrett paired with the aforementioned Neil Everett to become one of the great SportsCenter duos in the history of the network. The two worked out of the Los Angeles-based office, delivering late-night highlights and any after-hours news that would break. Verrett, who often played straight man to Everett's antics, filled one-half of that team from 2009 until 2023, when his partner left the network. Verrett exited ESPN in 2025, when the network made plans to discontinue SportsCenter from L.A.

From 1997-2020, Wingo established himself as a dependable and entertaining ESPN personality. Also known for his versatility, Wingo, like others on this list, enjoyed a solid and successful run co-anchoring SportsCenter, notably on Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, Wingo, whose humor was more conversational than some of his ESPN colleagues, hosted the network's coverage of NCAA women's basketball, NFL Primetime, NFL Live ,  and replaced Mike Greenberg on the radio show that became Golic and Wingo.