Jon Anderson, who has hosted ESPN’s “SportsCenter” for 2.5 decades, has announced his retirement from the network’s flagship show. In an announcement on his “Inside Wisconsin” show, Anderson revealed he will be leaving “SportsCenter” when his contract expires in June. However, he plans to continue working on various projects for ESPN, including coverage of athletic events such as the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon.
Anderson cited changes in the operation of “Sports Center” as a factor in his decision to step down, stating that he wants to continue doing the best shows he can, and may not have the stamina for 26 or 27 years of the show. Anderson joined ESPN in 1999 after working for KPHO-TV in Phoenix, Arizona, and has been a prominent personality on the network ever since.
In addition to his work on “SportsCenter,” Anderson also hosted the ABC game show “Wipeout” from 2008 to 2014. Known for his quick-witted and knowledgeable dialogue, Anderson is the third longtime host to leave “SportsCenter” in the past year, after the departure of Neil Everett and Sage Steele. Despite his retirement from the show, Anderson expressed his excitement to continue covering athletic events and other sports-related projects for ESPN in the future.