The Keith Olbermann-ESPN bridge has been rebuilt again. In other news, Mike Tirico will host Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, Danica Patrick will host the ESPYs, and Verne Lundquist is unsure of his college basketball future.
Olbermann Back
Former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Keith Olbermann, who has been serving in a contributor role since January, will expand his responsibilities under a new agreement announced last week. Most notably, Olbermann will guest anchor 20 editions of the 11 PM ET SportsCenter, his first time hosting the show since 1997. In addition, he will continue making appearances on “Outside the Lines” and “Pardon the Interruption” and contribute to ESPN’s MLB coverage as a play-by-play voice and studio host.
Olbermann last worked for ESPN from 2013-15, hosting an eponymous ESPN2 talk show. In that role, he rarely appeared on ESPN’s other programming.
As most are aware, Olbermann has spent most of the past 20 years as a political host for MSNBC, Current TV and most recently GQ. He also hosted Turner Sports’ MLB Postseason coverage in 2014. [ESPN PR 5.25]
Tirico Hosting SCF Opener
NBC Sports anchor Mike Tirico will host the network’s coverage of tonight’s Stanley Cup Final Game 1 on NBC and serve as a contributor on other games in the series, NBC announced last week. Tonight, Tirico will interview Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin as part of pregame coverage.
NBC has previously used Bob Costas and Dan Patrick on Stanley Cup Final coverage. [NBC Sports PR 5.25]
Danica Patrick Hosting ESPYs
Retired IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick will host ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards this summer, joining Peyton Manning (last year), LeBron James (2007) and Lance Armstrong (2006) as the only pro athletes to host the program. [ESPN PR 5.23]
Lundquist Not Sure About Hoops Future
CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist is not sure he will return to the network’s college basketball coverage next season, he told Sports Broadcast Journal earlier this month. Lundquist missed this year’s NCAA Tournament as he recovered from back surgery. He recently revealed to The Athletic that he will remain with CBS on the network’s Masters and PGA Championship coverage. [Sports Broadcast Journal 5.20]
