ESPN has announced that Aly Raisman is joining the network as a gymnastics analyst, beginning her career in sports media. The three-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time U.S. Olympian will make her on-air debut alongside John Roethlisberger on Friday, Jan. 19 in a matchup between No. 6 Kentucky and No. 8 LSU.
“I’m excited to be part of the ESPN gymnastics team and share my passion and love for the sport in a new way,” Raisman said in a statement. “It’s been so fun to watch these incredible athletes and see how much gymnastics continues to grow. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and the opportunity to try something different within the sport.”
Raissman was the team captain of two gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, and she is one of three U.S. gymnasts to make back-to-back teams in over two decades. She is also the third most-decorated American gymnast of all time and utilizes the platform she has built away from competition to discuss the importance of mental health. As the author of The New York Times best-selling memoir, “Fierce,” she recalls her survival of sexual abuse and advocates for changes within the paradigm of gymnastics.
“Aly is one of the most impactful gymnastics voices of her generation,” Kate Jackson, ESPN vice president of production, said in a statement, “and we’re excited that she will share her perspective and insight with fans as the newest member of our ESPN commentator roster.”
Raisman will be part of ESPN’s collegiate gymnastics campaign containing more than 70 hours of live coverage across platforms. Disney network ABC recently aired the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad, owned and operated by ESPN Events, becoming the most-watched live regular season collegiate gymnastics meet in the history of ESPN. The network recently came to terms on an eight-year agreement with the NCAA on a new rights deal beginning this September.
