Sage Steele, one of ESPN's most recognizable and popular personalities, will become the lead host for an expanded SPORTSCENTER on the Road initiative as part of a multi-year contract extension and larger on-air role with the company.
SportsCenter on the Road powered by Ford, which brings ESPN's signature news and information program out of the studio and to sports events, will add more locations to its schedule over the next year. The initiative, which includes traveling anchors, crew and a set to events, began in early 2015 and has originated
SPORTSCENTER programs from more than 30 locations.
"SportsCenter on the Road has been a big success and we're excited about making it even bigger," said Rob King,
ESPN senior vice president,
SPORTSCENTER and News. "We're overjoyed that Sage Steele will be carrying the mantle for
SPORTSCENTER on the Road at some of the biggest sports events across the country. She's someone fans really relate to and is a tremendous ambassador for sports and ESPN."
Steele will debut in her new role next month during the MLB postseason, including at the World Series, and her robust
SPORTSCENTER on the Road schedule also will see her anchoring programs from events such as the NBA Finals, Super Bowl, NFL Draft, NCAA Men's Final Four,
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Playoff National Championship game, the Masters and more.
Steele will continue to serve as the host of the weekend editions of NBA Countdown, preceding NBA Saturday Primetime on
ABC - the national NBA game of the week - and the popular
ABC NBA Sunday Showcase series.
"ESPN has been my home for nearly a decade, and to have the chance to ensure that it remains my home for the long-term future absolutely means the world to me," said Steele. "Our
SPORTSCENTER on the Road priority initiative is the perfect fit - bring viewers inside all of the biggest sporting events while truly being in my element live and on-site, where all the action takes place. To be able to combine that new role with my continued role as host of
NBA COUNTDOWN on
ABC is an opportunity I just couldn't pass up and I can't wait to get started."
At events for
SPORTSCENTER on the Road, Steele will anchor daytime and pre-game coverage from a set at the location. At various events throughout the year, anchors Jay Crawford and Michael Eaves, as well as
ESPN bureau reporters and analysts, will join her in reporting from the events.
Matt Barrie and Sara Walsh will continue to host
SPORTSCENTER on the Road programs on weekends from
COLLEGE FOOTBALL games and other locations, with
SPORTSCENTER anchor Zubin Mehenti also on site at selected
COLLEGE FOOTBALL games.
Anchors from nighttime editions of
SPORTSCENTER will in most cases continue to host post-game coverage from
SPORTSCENTER on the Road game sites. The post-game anchors will include John Anderson, John Buccigross, Neil Everett, Steve Levy, Scott Van Pelt, Stan Verrett and others.
Image courtesy of ESPN press
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