Elle Duncan Officially Exits ESPN for Netflix; To Become New Face of Streaming Sports
After nearly a decade with the Worldwide Leader, popular anchor Elle Duncan has officially left ESPN and signed a landmark deal to become the face of Netflix's expanding sports programming. Duncan co-hosted her final SportsCenter on Tuesday night, delivering an emotional on-air farewell before making the jump to the streaming giant.
The move signifies Netflix's serious commitment to live sports and its decision to hire its first high-profile, full-time on-air personality.
A "Substantial Raise" and New Opportunities
According to reports from The Athletic, Duncan secured a "substantial raise" from her ESPN salary to take on the new role, which is also expected to offer a lighter workload and potentially non-sports opportunities within the streaming service.
Netflix, which has been aggressively acquiring rights to major sports events, views Duncan as a key asset who provides the network with credibility and a continuous on-air presence across its diverse lineup.
What is on Netflix Sports' Roster?
Duncan will host coverage for a growing portfolio of live events, including:
Boxing: She is expected to make her Netflix debut as early as Friday, December 19, for the highly anticipated Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua bout.
NFL: Coverage of Christmas Day NFL games.
MLB: The 2026 season opener and Home Run Derby.
FIFA Women's World Cup: The 2027 tournament.
An Emotional ESPN Farewell
Duncan spent five years as a co-host of the 6 p.m. ET SportsCenter alongside Kevin Negandhi and was the lead host for women's basketball coverage, including the WNBA Finals and Women's Final Four.
During her final broadcast, Duncan fought back tears as she thanked her colleagues and peers, using the moment to address external criticism of the network. "The faces of this place are not the soul of this place," she stated. "There is no hidden agenda here, folks... just to do some work that matters, build a life".
ESPN has reportedly chosen Christine Williamson to take over many of Duncan's previous roles.
This article will be updated as details of Duncan's official Netflix debut are confirmed