Netflix appears ready to take its next major step into the live sports arena. The streamer is reportedly finalizing a deal to hire ESPN’s Elle Duncan as the first full-time face of its sports coverage. The news was first reported by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand late-Monday afternoon. It marks a significant shift in Netflix’s approach to live sports as it continues building its portfolio of premium events.
Duncan has anchored ESPN’s 6pm ET edition of SportsCenter for the past five years. She has emerged as one of the network’s most prominent and versatile voices. In addition to her nightly anchor duties, she’s become a central figure in ESPN’s women’s basketball coverage. Duncan leads studio shows for the WNBA—including the Finals—and hosts the women’s basketball edition of College GameDay. She also recently expanded her presence on the network’s digital platforms with the launch of Vibe Check.
Marchand says there is growing “pessimism that Duncan continues with ESPN.” Her expected Netflix deal would reportedly allow appearances on outside networks. However, whether that permission extends to ESPN is unclear. Both sides have discussed ways she may remain involved in women’s basketball coverage but no decision has been reached.
The report also notes that Netflix previously targeted ESPN’s Malika Andrews for a similar role. Andrews though agreed to a multiyear extension with ESPN in September.
Netflix has spent the past several years strategically adding to its sports rights inventory. The streamer now holds rights to the next two FIFA Women’s World Cups, MLB’s Opening Night and Home Run Derby, Christmas Day NFL games, and select marquee events including the Jake Paul–Mike Tyson fight. Until now, Netflix has relied on borrowing talent from partner networks for its coverage. That strategy has become harder to execute as competitors hesitate to assist a rising rival.
Duncan’s hiring signals that Netflix is no longer content with a piecemeal approach. Bringing onboard a seasoned, recognizable sports anchor suggests the company is laying an early foundation for a more permanent sports division—one capable of standing alongside traditional networks as the battle for live sports audiences intensifies.
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