In a significant move shaking up the sports broadcasting landscape, popular ESPN presenter Elle Duncan has announced her departure from the network to join streaming giant Netflix.
A New Chapter in Sports Broadcasting
Duncan revealed on Thursday, 18 December 2025, that she has signed a multi-year deal with Netflix. Her new role will see her host the platform's expanding slate of sports and cultural live events. This marks a major career shift after nine years with ESPN, where she had been a fixture since 2016.
During her tenure at ESPN, Duncan was best known for anchoring the 6 p.m. edition of SportsCenter. She also played a key role in covering women's sports, hosting the women's NCAA Tournament and WNBA broadcasts. Her final appearance on SportsCenter aired on Tuesday, just before the announcement.
Netflix's Expanding Sports Ambitions
Netflix has been aggressively building its live sports portfolio over the past two years. Gabe Spitzer, Netflix's Vice President of Sports, stated that Duncan's versatility made her an ideal candidate. "Elle Duncan’s proven ability to seamlessly move between hard-hitting sports analysis and warm, personality-driven cultural hosting makes her a perfect fit at Netflix," Spitzer said. "She immediately adds credibility and familiar star power to our global programming slate."
The streaming service's recent and upcoming sports commitments include:
- A Christmas Day NBA doubleheader for the second consecutive year.
- Major League Baseball games starting next season, featuring an opening night matchup and the Home Run Derby.
First Assignment: Skyscraper Live
Duncan's inaugural on-air hosting duties for Netflix are scheduled for early next year. She will front Skyscraper Live, an event featuring famed free solo climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to scale Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan.
Expressing her excitement about the new role, Duncan said, "Joining Netflix feels like being invited to an already legendary party and somehow getting handed the aux cord! For a lifelong utility player, a multisport assignment is a full-circle moment."
This high-profile defection from a traditional sports network to a streaming pioneer underscores the ongoing transformation of how global audiences consume live sports and event programming.
