Longtime ESPN anchors Sage Steele and Kevin Negandhi are set to combine their experience by taking over the 6 p.m. “SportsCenter” slot on weeknights, the network announced Friday.
Both veteran sportscasters have previously helmed the coveted time slot in the past, which was recently held by Jemele Hill and Michael Smith’s “SC6.”
Steele and Negandhi had previously worked at the same time in the early 2000s in the Tampa-St. Petersburg market — but at competing television outlets.
“The first show I ever hosted at ESPN was the 6 p.m. SportsCenter in March 2007,” Steele said in a statement. “Who knew that 11 years later this would all come full circle. I’m beyond thrilled to be part of the new 6 p.m. team and to reunite with Kevin and so many other great teammates. Onward!”
“I’m excited to get started on Monday and be able to set the table for the night’s biggest games through interviews and conversations with some of the best analysts and reporters,” Negandhi continued. “The 6 p.m. time slot is also a great opportunity to update our audience on what they might have missed throughout the day, and I’m really looking forward to being able to do this with my talented co-anchor Sage Steele.”
The 6 p.m. “SportsCenter” has been hosted by a rotating stable of anchors since Smith exited “SC6” in March. His exit from the show followed Hill’s exit in early February. She had previously hit the headlines after criticizing President Trump on Twitter, which led him to demand that she be fired.
Both on-air talents are still with ESPN, with Hill making regular contributions to “The Undefeated” and appearing on shows such as “SportsNation” and “Around the Horn.”
Steele and Negandhi will take over their new duties on Monday.