ESPN Parts Ways With Longtime SportsCenter Anchor Stan Verrett

Stan Verrett, a longtime SportsCenter anchor at ESPN, will depart the network later this summer after 25 years, as his contract will not be renewed. Verrett joined ESPN in 2000, initially anchoring ESPNEWS, before co-hosting the Los Angeles-based 1 a.m. edition of SportsCenter with Neil Everett from 2009 until Everett's retirement in 2023. He then co-hosted the show with Linda Cohn until the recent end of the LA-based SportsCenter edition, which ESPN is relocating to its Bristol, Connecticut headquarters. Despite his departure, Verrett is expected to continue anchoring in the lead-up to the network's direct-to-consumer launch and participate in promotional events like the '50 States in 50 Days' campaign. Fans have expressed disappointment over the news, lamenting the loss of a professional anchor in favor of more opinion-driven personalities amid ESPN's programming changes. Verrett himself emphasized his excitement for future opportunities and clarified he is not retiring.