Watch: 'This is SportsCenter' commercials return

Megan Rapinoe. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: ESPN 'This is SportsCenter' commercials return with Orange Bowl spot

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Dec 29, 2022 3:16 PM ET

ESPN is bringing a fan-favorite back just in time for 2023.

Per John R. Manzo of the ESPN Press Room website, the four-letter network will officially debut its newest "This is 'SportsCenter'" television commercial during its coverage of Friday's Capital One Orange Bowl matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers (10-2) and Clemson Tigers (11-2).

In the ad that was made available on Thursday via YouTube, United States women's national team stars Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Sophia Smith are spotted enjoying some orange slices along with "SportsCenter" anchor Nicole Briscoe until they are hilariously discovered by none other than Syracuse mascot Otto the Orange:

Friday's television spot won't be a one-off, as additional commercials will air throughout 2023. Multiple "SportsCenter" anchors, mascots throughout the sports world, and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin are among the figures set to be featured in upcoming ads.

"'This is SportsCenter'" is iconic, and a campaign that everyone knows and loves. It is at the core of who we are at ESPN, and we’re thrilled it’s returning at a key time in the sports calendar," said Laura Gentile, Disney and ESPN executive vice president of commercial marketing.

According to the Barrett Sports Media website, the first "This is 'SportsCenter'" commercial debuted in 1994. The campaign's last new ad aired in 2019.

The previous edition of the campaign helped increase the popularity of ESPN personalities such as John Clayton and included handfuls of superstar athletes:

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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