“SportsCenter” anchor Christine Williamson will succeed Elle Duncan at ESPN, serving as co-host of the TV program’s 6 p.m. time slot alongside Kevin Negandhi, as well as the lead women’s college basketball host on “College GameDay,” the Worldwide Leader said in a press release Thursday.
Williamson — who currently co-hosts the 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. editions of “SportsCenter” with Matt Barrie — will begin co-hosting the 6 p.m. “SportsCenter” with Negandhi in January.
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Duncan, who’s reportedly headed to Netflix to be the face of the streamer’s sports coverage, will host her final show on Dec. 16, according to Front Office Sports.
ESPN analyst Christine Williamson during the Chicago Sky at Los Angeles Sparks WNBA game on June 29, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Duncan reportedly is expected to serve in a Bob Costas–type role at Netflix, serving as host and gatekeeper to multisports coverage.
Williamson joined ESPN in 2019 as a digital host after stints at Fox Sports, the Big 12 Network and the Denver Broncos.
Elle Duncan talks during the game between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury during Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals on October 8, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NBAE via Getty Images
A Tampa, Fla., native, Williamson is a former collegiate volleyball player at the University of Miami.
Malika Andrews, the host of “NBA Today and “NBA Countdown,” is poised to take over Duncan’s role as the lead host of ESPN’s WNBA studio coverage — “WNBA Countdown,” the WNBA draft, WNBA All-Star and the WNBA playoffs — per Front Office Sports.
Malika Andrews poses for a photo during the game between Denver Nuggets against the Golden State Warriors on October 23, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NBAE via Getty Images
Duncan was a part of the countdown crew with Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter, who garnered the nickname the “Big 3” as ESPN centered the expansion of its women’s sports coverage around them.
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There is no bad blood between Duncan and ESPN, according to The Athletic, which was first to report the news of her move to Netflix.
(L-R) Andraya Carter, Elle Duncan, and Chiney Ogwumike pose for a photo before the game between Team Clark and Team Collier during the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2025 on July 19, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images
Duncan’s deal with Netflix will include a “substantial raise” from her ESPN salary, and it will allow her to “work much less,” according to The Athletic. She may also work some non-sports events.
As part of the deal, Duncan reportedly could still appear on other networks or platforms — but Netflix will have priority over her services, should there be any scheduling conflicts.
