ESPN personality Elle Duncan leaving network for new opportunity, per report
By Derek Hryn
Published:
ESPN is losing one of its most recognizable hosts.
Elle Duncan is leaving the network for a new role with Netflix, according to a report from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. Duncan, who has been with ESPN since 2016 and currently anchors the 6 p.m. SportsCenter with Kevin Negandhi, will not continue in her roles on the WNBA or women’s college basketball as she makes the move.
Per the report, the decision is tied to Netflix’s growing push into live sports, where Duncan is expected to become one of the faces of the platform’s expanding coverage.
There’s no bad blood on the way out. Duncan has long been considered a network favorite — she’s hosted WNBA Countdown, led ESPN’s women’s college basketball College GameDay, and fronted studio coverage for the 2024 NCAA Women’s Tournament, which pulled one of the biggest pregame audiences in women’s hoops history. She’s also been a fixture at ESPN’s Upfronts and corporate events.
But Netflix offered two major things: a significant raise and a lighter workload. The streaming giant already holds rights to Christmas Day NFL games, select MLB matchups including Opening Day, and the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with more expected to follow. Duncan could also take on non-sports projects as part of her deal.
Her ESPN contract runs through the end of the year, so she may still appear on the network in the coming weeks unless Netflix negotiates an early release to debut her during its Christmas NFL broadcast.
