Longtime SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett is leaving the company; NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua is departing for one of the network’s partners; Reggie Bush is unlikely to return to Fox Sports; and more.
Longtime SportsCenter anchor Everett exits
Longtime ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett is leaving the company, as first reported Thursday by Front Office Sports. Everett had been with ESPN since 2000 and alongside Stan Verrett served as the primary anchor of the Los Angeles-based version of SportsCenter since it began in 2009.
Sources cited by Front Office Sports differed on the circumstances that led to Everett’s departure, with one saying that he turned down an offer for a reduced contract and another saying ESPN did not renew his deal.
Everett’s exit comes as ESPN is preparing a new round of Disney-mandated layoffs that are expected to target talent. (Front Office Sports 6.8)
NBC’s Bevacqua replacing Swarbrick as Notre Dame AD
NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua is departing the company to become the new athletic director at Notre Dame, replacing Jack Swarbrick, it was announced Thursday. Bevacqua joined NBC Sports in 2018 and became chairman two years later. He was previously CEO of the PGA Tour.
Bevacqua is no stranger to Notre Dame, both as a graduate and as a business partner during his time with NBC. (Notre Dame PR 6.8)
Fox Sports, Reggie Bush, expected to part ways
Fox Sports is expected to part ways with “Big Noon Kickoff” college football analyst Reggie Bush over a contract dispute, the New York Post reported Thursday. Bush had been with Fox since 2019. Per the Post, Fox is close to a deal with NFL RB Mark Ingram II to serve as a replacement. (NYP 6.8)
Plus: F1 Manningcast, Big Hurt, The Bear
- ESPN announced this week that it will air three alternate presentations of Formula 1 races this season hosted by driver Daniel Ricciardo and actor Will Arnett. Produced by ESPN and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, the simulcast will debut on ESPN2 June 18 at the Canadian Grand Prix, with the traditional race coverage on ABC. The remaining simulcasts are set for October 22 at the United States Grand Prix and November 18 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. (ESPN PR)
- Former Fox Sports MLB analyst Frank Thomas is joining Apple TV as a “special correspondent,” a role that includes game analysis and interviews with players, Front Office Sports reported this week. Thomas worked for Fox Sports from 2014 through last season in a studio role. (Front Office Sports 6.7)
- Former ESPN “College Gameday” contributor Chris “The Bear” Fallica is set to make his Fox Sports debut this weekend at the scheduled Belmont Stakes. Fallica is also set to contribute to Fox Sports’ coverage of the Women’s World Cup later this summer. (Fox Sports PR)
