Netflix has appointed ESPN anchor Elle Duncan as its first on-air sports host, marking a significant step in the streaming giant's expansion into live sports coverage. Duncan, known for her work on ESPN's 'SportsCenter,' 'College GameDay' and 'WNBA Countdown,' has signed a multiyear deal to host a range of sports and cultural live events for Netflix.
Duncan's first assignment will be 'Skyscraper Live' in early 2026, where free solo climber Alex Honnold will attempt to scale Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan at 1,667 feet. The event underscores Netflix's growing portfolio of live sports rights, which includes deals with the NFL, MLB, the Women's World Cup and WWE.
In a statement, Duncan expressed her excitement about joining Netflix, saying, '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.' She added, 'Also, I was told this fast-tracks my kids to meeting the KPop Demon Hunters, soooo…win-win.'
Gabe Spitzer, Netflix's vice president of sports, praised Duncan's versatility, stating, '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. She immediately adds credibility and familiar star power to our global programming slate.'
Duncan joined ESPN in 2016 and hosted the 6 p.m. ET edition of 'SportsCenter,' as well as key roles in college and professional basketball coverage. Prior to ESPN, she worked for the New England Sports Network (NESN) in Boston and held various on-air positions in Atlanta, including as a sports anchor for NBC affiliate WXIA-TV and a sideline reporter for the Atlanta Hawks.
