ESPN and longtime anchor Elle Duncan are officially parting ways as she prepares to join Netflix, according to new reporting from The Athletic. The decision finalizes what had remained a slim possibility that Duncan would stay at ESPN in her prominent roles across women’s basketball coverage. Duncan is expected to join the streaming company and be the leading face of the streamer’s growing slate of live sports programming.
The Athletic first reported Monday that Duncan was poised to make the jump to Netflix. At the time, sources still indicated there was a narrow path for her to remain with ESPN. However, that window has now closed according to Andrew Marchand.
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.
Monday’s reporting by The Athletic also noted 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 the Home Run Derby. It also controls 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 building an early foundation for a permanent sports division. That division could stand alongside traditional networks as the battle for live sports audiences intensifies.
For Duncan, the move represents a significant financial shift. According to the report, her Netflix contract includes a sizable raise from her ESPN salary and a considerably lighter workload. Industry executives expect Netflix to continue adding rights packages in the months ahead, positioning the company as a more consistent player in the sports media marketplace.
Additionally, Duncan’s role at Netflix may extend beyond sports. She is expected to have opportunities to work on non-sports content. That fits Netflix’s strategy of elevating recognizable broadcast personalities across multiple verticals.
Her agreement is not entirely exclusive, either. Duncan will be permitted to appear on other networks or platforms, provided Netflix receives the first opportunity to resolve any scheduling conflicts. That flexibility could keep her visible across the broader sports media ecosystem while still serving as one of Netflix’s primary sports hosts.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
