No one loves discussing their former employer quite like Dan Le Batard loves talking about ESPN. Since departing from the Worldwide Leader for the creative freedom of Meadowlark Media, he hasn’t looked back and hopes some of his former colleagues can experience similar fulfillment. However, he admits that the ESPN he once knew feels unrecognizable. On a recent Thursday, he tuned into the network and was surprised to see an anchor he had never encountered before, whose youthful appearance caught him off guard.
Le Batard questioned the fate of the traditional sports highlight show and the role of the sports anchor itself within today’s media landscape, suggesting that the rise of the internet and social media has rendered highlight shows almost obsolete. “The casual fan observes through highlights, the NBA chief among them,” he stated during an episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz. “But watching highlights on your phone or through social media is different than having to go to your television… Throughout the industry, everyone’s facing pay cuts because media is shrinking, leading to fewer jobs. ESPN prioritizes its brand above all else, rendering other aspects interchangeable or disposable.”
Le Batard discussed Scott Van Pelt’s significance, asserting that while his immense popularity would ensure ESPN continues to compensate him well, losing SVP wouldn’t be a “seismic” event. “In general, the sports anchor is less valuable throughout television than I’ve perceived throughout my lifetime,” he added. However, senior producer Roy Bellamy pointed out that ESPN’s launch of a daily SportsCenter on Disney+ demonstrates that highlight shows aren’t entirely obsolete.
“They’re the new big show. Instead of Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann, it’s Gary Striewski and Randy Scott — and they’re fantastic,” noted Jonathan Zaslow. “Yet, many fans feel they want more SportsCenter; they miss that part the way older generations lament MTV’s lack of music videos.” He also defended Scott Van Pelt’s role, asserting, “That show is pretty important. He attracts great guests right after big games, and it’s quite popular.” Van Pelt’s show remains competitive in the late-night landscape, maintaining viewership comparable to traditional late-night programs, as discussed by Awful Announcing’s Drew Lerner earlier this year.
Le Batard countered, saying, “If ESPN chooses to make its midnight flagship the focus of its resources, it’s not solely because of Scott Van Pelt; he’s in a position supported by maximum resources.” Ultimately, Le Batard’s underlying point highlighted the diminishing relevance of the sports anchor role in today’s media environment, noting that while prominent figures like Van Pelt retain value, the essence of what made ESPN a powerhouse is rapidly fading, raising a critical question regarding the network’s future.
And in the end, that’s the part that’s truly worth questioning.
