ESPN
For the first time in over 20 years, Rich Eisen hosted SportsCenter. The Emmy nominates sportscaster was behind the SportsCenter desk for the 11 p.m. edition from Los Angeles on Monday, August 18.
Eisen’s return to the SportsCenter desk comes as his long-running radio show, The Rich Eisen Show, is set to premiere on Disney and ESPN platforms on Tuesday, September 2.
Eisen previously worked at ESPN from 1996 to 2003 and spent many years hosting SportsCenter alongside the late Stuart Scott, who passed away in 2015 following a battle with cancer.
Rich Eisen pays tribute to Stuart Scott in first SportsCenter apperance in over 20 years
Given that this was Eisen’s first time on ESPN since Scott’s passing, he honored his late colleague and friend by leaving his usual seat empty, while also paying special and specific tribute to him during the broadcast. ESPN even dusted off the old intro music that was used for SportsCenter during Eisen and Scott’s heyday.
For the first time in 22 years, @richeisen is back hosting SportsCenter 🤩 pic.twitter.com/6FnQZUhpfK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 19, 2025
“It has been a blast being here tonight. But we all know, there should be someone else right here in this chair next to me,” Eisen said as he choked back tears.
“I frequently think of Stuart, a lot. I miss Stuart so very much,” he added.
And of course, Rich Eisen’s return to SportsCenter included a tribute to his longtime partner, the late, great, Stuart Scott. https://t.co/beaPmgJU36 pic.twitter.com/NBA5LlRmmN
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 19, 2025
In addition to the tribute to Scott, Eisen also went through the classic routine of highlights, player interviews, and expert analysis before previewing the 2025 NFL season alongside in-studio analyst Mina Kimes.
According to reports, similar to ESPN’s deal with Pat McAfee for his popular The Pat McAfee Show, Eisen’s program will be licensed by ESPN, meaning he is expected to maintain ownership and editorial control.