Longtime ESPN host Elle Duncan is reportedly joining Netflix to anchor its sports coverage.
(John Nacion via Getty Images)
Longtime ESPN host and “SportsCenter” anchor Elle Duncan is on the verge of joining Netflix as the “face” of the streamer’s sports coverage, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reports.
Terms of the deal were not reported, and Duncan’s future with ESPN is unclear, per the report. Duncan has yet to sign her contract with Netflix. The pending deal is expected to allow her to appear on other networks, per the report.
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Marchand reports that there is “pessimism” that Duncan continues with ESPN, and it’s evident that Duncan couldn’t remain at the network in her current capacity that features almost daily appearances across multiple platforms as Netflix becomes her priority.
But Duncan and ESPN have discussed the potential of her remaining in a reduced role with the network covering women’s basketball, per the report. Duncan has become the anchor of ESPN’s women’s basketball coverage as the host of “College Gameday” and its Final Four and WNBA Finals broadcasts. Netflix’s burgeoning portfolio of live sports rights does not include women’s basketball.
What would Duncan do at Netflix?
What Duncan’s role at Netflix would fully entail is also unclear from the report. But she would host the streamer’s marquee events that in the past have included NFL coverage on Christmas and boxing matches, including Terence Crawford’s defeat of Canelo Alvarez in September.
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In addition to boxing and the NFL, Netflix will expand its live sports portfolio into MLB coverage next season. Per a media rights deal announced last week, Netflix will host an Opening Day game, the All-Star Game’s Home Run Derby and the annual Field of Dreams game starting in 2026.
Netflix will stream two NFL Christmas Day games next month in the second year of its three-year deal with the league. The Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings are Netflix’s Christmas games this year.
Netflix is also slated to stream a Dec. 19 fight between former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Netflix’s live sports coverage remains sparse and sporadic. Poaching Duncan from ESPN indicates the streamer’s intention to continue to expand its sports footprint. But Netflix’s current live sports calendar doesn’t support a full-time role, potentially leaving bandwidth for Duncan to continue to work in sports in other capacities.