Netflix Steals Big-Name Female Talent From ESPN To Be The New Face Of Their Sports Division

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Netflix is looking to increase its presence in live sports streaming and is reportedly hiring one of ESPN’s big-name female talents, Elle Duncan, to take charge of its sports division. 

According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, the streaming service will make Duncan the face of its sports broadcasting, though she has yet to put pen to paper on a deal with the company. 

“ESPN’s Elle Duncan is set to become the new face of Netflix’s sports division, sources briefed on the agreement told The Athletic on Monday,” Marchand reported. 

“Adding Duncan as its first high-profile, full-time on-air personality shows that the streaming service is becoming increasingly serious about adding more live sports to its lineup,” he added. 

Marchand contacted Netflix, ESPN, and Duncan’s agent. They all declined to comment. 

It was not immediately clear whether Duncan will remain with The Worldwide Leader in Sports, but it’s understood that her Netflix deal will allow her to appear on other networks. 

“Netflix will be her top priority, however, and she may have some non-sports opportunities with the service, as well,” Marchand noted.

Netflix had previously shown interest in Malika Andrews before she signed a new deal with ESPN earlier this year. 

Elle Duncan Could Remain With ESPN, Though It’s Thought To Be Unlikely

Netflix doesn’t have a comprehensive sports calendar, but it has streamed live NFL games on Christmas Day in recent years, as well as Women’s World Cup fixtures and MLB games. Duncan and ESPN have discussed the possibility of continuing to cover women’s basketball, but no final decision has been made.

According to sources cited by Marchand, she isn’t likely to continue with the network, especially given that ESPN has not been willing to share its talent with the streaming service for NFL Christmas games this year. 

We imagine Kendrick Perkins will miss her after shooting his shot at her on live TV a few weeks ago.

Elle Duncan has been with ESPN for nearly 10 years and has co-hosted the early evening ‘SportsCenter’ for five years. She has also served as the host of ‘WNBA Countdown’ and is the lead presenter for ESPN’s coverage of the women’s Final Four.

She is expected to have a much lighter schedule at Netflix.