Kenny Mayne – among the top personalities on ESPN for more than 20 years – has re-signed with the company.
The new multiyear deal will have Mayne expanding his role on ESPN’s flagship SportsCenter, where he’ll become a featured contributor to the midnight ET edition of show, which is hosted by Scott Van Pelt from ESPN’s Bristol studios.
Mayne currently guest anchors the late-night edition of SportsCenter, which airs on the East Coast at 1 a.m., and is co-hosted by Neil Everett and Stan Verrett out of Los Angeles. He’ll continue to contribute to the newly launched SportsCenter on the Road telecasts.
“Happy to be back for more. It beats real work,” Mayne said in a statement. “I fly to L.A. for a week, watch sports and make up words. Sometimes I literally make up the words. Pure gibberish. But Stan and Neil seem to get me.”
Mayne is among several top personalities re-signed by ESPN in the months since the high-profile exits of Bill Simmons, Keith Olbermann and Colin Cowherd, who is now at Fox Sports.
Added Rob King, ESPN senior vp SportsCenter and News: “For 20 years, Kenny Mayne has placed his own indelible, if somewhat askew, stamp on SportsCenter. We are truly delighted that he’ll continue entertaining fans, both from the SportsCenter set and from all corners of the sporting world.”
Additionally, Rachel Nichols is expected to return to the network after a stint at Turner Sports and CNN. Sources tell THR that she’ll host the upcoming daytime NBA show set to bow next year in conjunction with the playoffs. She’s also expected to contribute to SportsCenter and appear on other ESPN shows and platforms.
