Former ESPN Anchor Rich Eisen Returns to SportsCenter After 20 Years

Rich Eisen is making a special return to ESPN's SportsCenter after more than 20 years, anchoring the 11 p.m. ET edition on Monday, August 18, following the Monday Night Football preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders. Eisen, who originally worked at ESPN from 1996 to 2003 before joining NFL Network, will be joined by ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes and will conduct post-game interviews with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. This one-night appearance precedes the September 2 debut of The Rich Eisen Show on ESPN+ and Disney+, marking a broader reconnection with ESPN while allowing Eisen to maintain his prominent role at NFL Network. The Rich Eisen Show will air nationally on ESPN Radio and be available on streaming platforms, with Eisen also expected to appear on other ESPN studio shows and launch a podcast interviewing former SportsCenter colleagues. Eisen's return comes amid ESPN's recent non-binding agreement to acquire NFL Network and other NFL media assets, reflecting a strategic partnership between the entities. This marks a significant moment in Eisen's broadcasting career, bridging his past ESPN legacy with his ongoing NFL Network presence and expanding his media footprint.