Copyright New York Post
ESPN’s next blockbuster announcement could involve one of its popular figures. Network staple Scott Van Pelt has emerged as a leading candidate to fill ESPN’s vacant 5 p.m. weekday show time slot, according to a Tuesday report from The Athletic. Van Pelt, the longtime host of the late-night “SportsCenter” and “Monday Night Countdown,” could move up in the day to fill the void left by “Around the Horn,” which was cancelled in May after 23 years on air. The potential switch would mark one of the biggest shakeups in ESPN history. ESPN president of content Burke Magnus confirmed Van Pelt’s candidacy to The Athletic and revealed his original intention to reunite him with popular podcaster and ex-ESPNer Ryen Russillo. Van Pelt and Russillo amassed a loyal following as ESPN Radio partners from 2012-15, but a wrench was thrown into Magnus’ reunion plan when Russillo announced in August that he was leaving The Ringer to launch a new venture with Barstool Sports. “That was a bit of a selfish concept by me, because I was such a huge fan of those two when they were together years ago,” Magnus said. “It just so happened that Ryen was exploring his future on a similar timeline. He ended up doing something different.” Still, Magnus views Van Pelt as a prime candidate to fill the 5 p.m. ET time slot between “NFL Live” and “Pardon the Interruption.” Other names on that short list include Peter Schrager and Brian Windhorst, according to the report. Van Pelt, who has anchored “SportsCenter” since 2015, has emphasized in recent years that he doesn’t see himself hosting the late-night program much longer. Now at 58 years old, it could be the perfect time to embrace an earlier schedule. “I don’t want to speak for him, but I think there is a limit for how long people can have their lives upside-down from working late nights,” Magnus said. “This could provide some relief in that regard.” If Van Pelt were to move up to the earlier time slot, he could still be considered for occasional late-night hosting roles after big games, including “Monday Night Football,” according to the report. While Van Pelt appears to be the frontrunner, ESPN plans to carefully consider its next step — especially since there’s no need to rush. A new 5 p.m. show wouldn’t arrive until 2026, and “SportsCenter,” currently airing in the 5-5:30 p.m. timeslot, is outperforming “Around the Horn’s” old numbers. “We are pleasantly surprised by how (‘SportsCenter’) has a bigger audience than what ‘Around The Horn’ was doing,” Magnus said. “We are looking at taking all the time we need to get it right.”
