Why Elle Duncan Is Leaving ESPN — And What Comes Next

Elle Duncan is switching teams. After almost a decade at ESPN, the SportsCenter staple and the network's women's basketball studio lead is heading to Netflix for a bigger paycheck and a lighter calendar. Translation: more marquee gigs, fewer day-to-day grind hours.

What Netflix is handing her

Netflix has been quietly (and not so quietly) building out live sports, and Duncan is clearly part of that plan. She's expected to be one of the network's main studio voices, working NFL games on Christmas Day, select MLB matchups, and the 2027 Women's World Cup. If Netflix wanted a familiar, energetic pro to front its sports coverage, this checks out.

Why the move adds up

This is one of those rare TV moves that actually makes sense on every level. Netflix gets an established host who can bring a broadcast vibe to a streamer still defining its sports identity. Duncan gets a salary bump and a more flexible schedule that still keeps her in the middle of the biggest events. She's not leaving sports; she's just leaving the daily churn.

So what happens back at ESPN?

ESPN isn't exactly scrambling. Duncan leaves on good terms — she's been a favorite of chairman Jimmy Pitaro, frequently tapped for corporate appearances and the network's Upfronts — but the bench is deep. Christine Williamson is stepping into the 6 p.m. SportsCenter chair alongside Kevin Negandhi and will also take over as lead host for College GameDay's women's basketball coverage. Williamson's been with ESPN since 2019, has anchored multiple SportsCenter editions, and popped up on First Take, so the promotion tracks. Meanwhile, Malika Andrews is positioned to become ESPN's top WNBA host, steering coverage around the WNBA Finals and the women's Final Four.

• Elle Duncan to Netflix: studio coverage for NFL Christmas Day, select MLB games, and the 2027 Women's World Cup; bigger paycheck, fewer hours.
• ESPN shifts: Christine Williamson to 6 p.m. SportsCenter with Kevin Negandhi; she also leads College GameDay's women's hoops coverage.
• Malika Andrews is in the mix to be ESPN's primary WNBA host, fronting the WNBA Finals and the women's Final Four.

The ESPN chapter, in brief

Duncan built her ESPN rep on personality and polish: a lively, relatable host who could switch from SportsCenter to Monday Night Countdown without a hiccup. She did digital hits, celebrity and athlete interviews, and plenty of big-event work. Leaving now, with Netflix ramping up live rights and studio ambitions, feels like striking while the iron is very much hot.

Bottom line: Netflix gets a proven closer for its sports push, Duncan gets balance without losing the spotlight, and ESPN keeps the machine moving with capable hands already on deck. Everyone looks smart here.