John Anderson has been a familiar face on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” since 1999, but his 2 1/2-decade run as host is coming to an end. In a recent episode of his show “Inside Wisconsin,” Anderson announced that he will be retiring from the network’s flagship show when his contract expires in June. However, he mentioned that he will continue to work on various projects for the network, including covering track and field events such as the Boston and New York Marathons.
Anderson cited changes in the “SportsCenter” operation as a reason for his decision to step down, expressing a desire to continue to do his best work without feeling overwhelmed. ESPN originally hired Anderson in 1999 from KPHO-TV in Phoenix, Arizona, and he has been a prominent figure on the network ever since. In addition to hosting the 11 p.m. ET edition of “SportsCenter,” Anderson has also covered various track and field events and 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. Neil Everett departed in June, and Sage Steele left in August following the settlement of her lawsuit against ESPN. Despite his upcoming departure from the show, Anderson expressed excitement about his future projects and looks forward to continuing his work in the world of sports broadcasting.