Following layoffs of prominent on-air talent, ESPN has been working to find a new host for Monday Night Countdown. The signature pregame show airs before Monday Night Football each week on ESPN, which is entering its second season with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman as its lead commentary team. ESPN has reportedly named longtime SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt as Suzy Kolber’s successor to host the program. As part of the transaction, Van Pelt has signed a new multiyear deal with the company that will see him continue to host the late-night edition of SportsCenter on most weeknights.
Van Pelt initially repudiated reports of him joining the program on The Dan Patrick Show, stating that there had been no official job offer made to him. During the interview, he did not deny that it would not be a possibility, nor did he impugn potential interest. While the initial report seemed presumptuous, it can be discerned that conversations have been had leading to the promotion. He was reportedly in consideration with NFL Live host Laura Rutledge, although the breadth of the network’s search is ostensibly unknown.
Now, Van Pelt will be hosting Monday Night Countdown pregame and postgame, followed by a live SportsCenter from the site of the contest.
Van Pelt will be joined by returning analyst Robert Griffin III on the panel, along with insider Adam Schefter and features reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck. They will all regularly provide their insights and perspectives on news around the league. The show is also adding two new analysts, both of whom are frequent contributors across its portfolio of studio programming.
Marcus Spears is a fixture on the studio program, NFL Live, and has quickly become one of the network’s more heavily utilized personalities. He joined ESPN in 2014 to work on the SEC Network as a college football analyst but saw his role begin to change in 2019. Upon joining NFL Live in 2019, Spears began lending his voice to shows such as Get Up, First Take and SportsCenter, in addition to hosting a podcast with Kendrick Perkins. Spears will now further refine his role at the Monday Night Countdown desk, traveling to the site of the featured game. Prior to his time with the “Worldwide Leader,” he played defensive end for nine seasons in the NFL after winning two national championships with the LSU Tigers in college.
Set to join Spears will be Ryan Clark, a 13-year NFL veteran and former Super Bowl champion. On the day Clark announced his retirement from the sport, he joined ESPN and became a studio analyst across its slate of programming. He has worked with Spears in the past on shows such as NFL Live and First Take, and has continued to serve as a trusted voice as it pertains to football analysis. Clark will join Van Pelt on the late-night SportsCenter from the site of the game each week. In addition to Spears and Clark, analysts Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and Alex Smith will make multiple appearances throughout the regular season.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Booger McFarland is not among the show’s cast, ending his three-year tenure with the show. McFarland has worked on various ESPN football programs throughout his time with the company, which began in 2014, including SportsCenter, NFL PrimeTime and the NFL Draft.
The premiere of Monday Night Countdown takes place on Aug. 21 ahead of a preseason matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST and will include Van Pelt, Spears, Clark and the rest of the cast. The matchup is the only preseason game on ESPN’s docket and will be called by Buck and Aikman.
The first regular season edition of Monday Night Countdown will take place ahead of the New York Jets season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. EST/3 p.m. PST on ESPN ahead of kickoff just after 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST.
