ESPN’s John Anderson to Step Down as ‘SportsCenter’ Host after 25 Years on the Air; Plans to Continue with Track and Field Events
John Anderson, who has been hosting ESPN’s “SportsCenter” for 2 1/2 decades, has announced his retirement from the network’s flagship show. In an announcement on his show “Inside Wisconsin,” Anderson revealed that he will be leaving “SportsCenter” when his contract expires in June. However, he plans to continue working on various projects for ESPN, including covering track and field events like the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon.
Anderson cited changes in the operation of “SportsCenter” as a factor in his decision to retire, stating that he wants to continue doing the best shows he can and may not have the stamina for years 26 or 27 of the show. Anderson joined ESPN in 1999 after working for KPHO-TV in Phoenix, Arizona, and has been a prominent figure on the network ever since.
In addition to his work on “SportsCenter,” Anderson has also hosted the ABC game show “Wipeout” from 2008 to 2014. Known for his snappy and knowledgeable dialogue, Anderson is the third longtime host to leave “SportsCenter” in the past year, following the departures of Neil Everett and Sage Steele. Despite his retirement from the show, Anderson expressed excitement about continuing to cover track and field events and other sports-related projects for ESPN in the future.
