Last month, ESPN named Taylor Tannebaum the new host of ACC Huddle ahead of live coverage from the conference kickoff event from Charlotte, N.C. over four days. Kelsey Riggs had held the role last year following time with ESPN that began in 2019 with the launch of the ACC Network. Riggs is now transitioning to a new full-time role anchoring on SportsCenter, the flagship news and information program on ESPN. Expected to make her full-time debut from the Bristol studios on Thursday, Aug. 29, Riggs will provide sports news, highlights and information to viewers around the country.
As one of the initial hires for the ACC Network, Riggs has hosted a variety of programming on the conference network, including ACC Huddle, Nothing But Net and several other studio programs. Additionally, she has taken part in event coverage on ACC Network and across ESPN platforms, along with anchoring College Football Live and contributing to coverage of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. She took part in a panel at the espnW Summit from Brooklyn, N.Y. last year featuring various ESPN commentators, athletes and executives.
“Kelsey’s passion for sports and her ability to connect with fans make her a perfect fit for SportsCenter,” Maria Soares, senior vice president of production and content strategy at ESPN, said in a statement. “Already experienced as a part-time SportsCenter anchor, we’re thrilled to have Kelsey part of the show now on a full-time basis.”
Riggs will contribute across various editions of the flagship program where she will share breaking news, live updates and her personality and perspective surrounding sports. Before joining ESPN and the ACC Network, Riggs worked as a sports anchor at WCNC, an NBC affiliate station in Charlotte, where she covered two Super Bowl championships and the 2017 Men’s Final Four. Prior to that time, she worked at CBS-affiliated WBTW in Myrtle Beach, S.C. covering NASCAR, the Masters and local college football programs.
“When I started at ACCN & ESPN, I never dreamed I’d host SportsCenter,” Riggs said in a statement. “Joining the team full-time is an incredible honor. I’m deeply grateful for my time with ACCN and for all the people who helped me reach this iconic show.”
Riggs is the second new SportsCenter anchor to be announced in the last two months, following the addition of MJ Acosta-Ruiz in a multifaceted role. Longtime program anchor John Anderson retired from the show this past June but is remaining with the network to call select track and field events throughout the year. Over the last year, ESPN has signed several of its SportsCenter anchors to new contracts, including Nicole Briscoe and Gary Striewski.
