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This is a Good Move from ESPN
Published:
ESPN news:
Scott Van Pelt to host, along with additions of Ryan Clark & Marcus Spears, as Monday Night Countdown revamps ahead of ESPN's 25-game 2023-24 NFL slate
Tonight, a special edition of Countdown (7p ET, ESPN) ahead of ESPN's #BALvsWAS preseason game
More: https://t.co/6NQm2fmTdv pic.twitter.com/bzgaQPOHqE
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 21, 2023
Yes. A rare W for ESPN, having Scott Van Pelt lead this. He is a “proper” host, as the British would say.
The thing about SVP is that he’s one of the last remaining old school/quality guys at ESPN. I have no clue how to explain this other than saying that you feel like you’re connected with this person. Like he’s an actual personality with charisma who gives off that ESPN vibe. Stuart Scott had it. Rich Eisen and Dan Patrick had it. Same with Kenny Mayne and John Anderson and Linda Cohn, even Keith Olbermann before he turned into a political wackadoo. Those hosts from back in the day made the network FUN, while a lot of the people they have now are just sort of there, floating around in some post-budget cut era of uncertainty. Again, I have no clue how to explain this, but I think you know what I’m talking about, RE: Van Pelt.
In advance of his expanded role, ESPN has signed Van Pelt to a new multi-year deal. In addition to his NFL presence, Van Pelt will continue to host his late-night SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt on most weeknights, a program that began in September of 2015 and has consistently drawn larger audiences among younger demographics than other late-night talk shows on both broadcast and cable. In addition, he will continue as host of ESPN’s coverage of golf majors, including the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship, as well as the monthly Bad Beats show and ESPN Audio’s weekly SVPod podcast. Van Pelt has been with ESPN since 2001.
It’s a solid panel, too. Ryan Clark is good. RG III can be a doofus sometimes, but knows what he’s talking about. Also very intrigued to see Alex Smith and Larry Fitzgerald’s contributions as well. Always respected Smith’s NFL career, and Larry Legend put on one of the best college performances I’ve ever seen in person. 9 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns. The guy was incredible. Everybody knew back then that he had this huge NFL career ahead of him.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com