Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated reports that ESPN has hired Hannah Storm as a new SportsCenter anchor, signaling that the Worldwide Leader is revamping the image of the show that has defined the network for nearly three decades.According to Deitsch, Storm will anchor a morning version of SportsCenter, and ESPN will bolster its morning broadcasts with original content, rather than re-running the late night SportsCenter all morning long, as it does now.
Although ESPN hasn't confirmed the move and no details are available of Storm's SportsCenter, it would seem likely that the new SportsCenter will have more of a "morning show" feel, and ESPNews will be the go-to place for people who turn on the TV in the morning wanting the basic scores and highlights from the night before.
The challenge for ESPN will be to find a way to prevent the Storm-led SportsCenter from being redundant with ESPN2's morning lineup, a simulcast of the radio show Mike and Mike in the Morning from 6 to 10 a.m., followed by ESPN First Take.
Storm, who most recently anchored the CBS Early Show, has previously covered sports for CNN and NBC.
Did You See That?
New Orleans Hornets Tyson Chandler (C) hangs on the rim over San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (L) and Tony Parker during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of their second round NBA playoff basketball series in New Orleans, Louisiana May 5, 2008. The Hornets defeated the Spurs 102-84 for a 2-0 series lead. (Sean Gardner, Reuters)
Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) is tackled by Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams (24) on a drive to the basket in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA first-round playoff basketball series in Boston, Sunday, May 4, 2008. Williams was ejected on the play. (Charles Krupa, AP)
Track personnel try to hold down Eight Belles after the 134th Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 3, 2008, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Eight Belles was euthanized after breaking both front ankles following a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. (Brian Bohannon, AP)
Brazil's Paulo Carvahlo, assisted by his coach, warms up prior to a fight during a boxing qualifying tournament for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in Guatemala City, Tuesday, April 29, 2008. (Rodrigo Abd, AP)
BOSTON - MAY 4: Coco Crisp #10 of the Boston Red Sox is unable to catch a triple off the bat of Akinori Iwamura #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on May 4, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Jim Rogash, Getty Images)
New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins players fight in the first period during Game 3 of an NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey playoff series Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The fight resulted in three roughing penalties charged to each team. (Julie Jacobson, AP)
Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5) pushes away from referee Ed Rush as he tries to get to Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson (2) during an altercation that resulted in four technical fouls in the first half of Game 4 in the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Monday, April 28, 2008. (Mikki Harris, Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)
NASCAR driver Steve Wallace brings his car to a stop after being involved in a crash during Aaron's 312 Nationwide Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., on Saturday, April 26, 2008.(Dale Davis, AP)
Texas Rangers' Gerald Laird, foreground, picks up teammate German Duran, top, after he scored on a game-winning RBI-single by teammate David Murphy in the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, April 25, 2008, in Arlington, Texas. Other Rangers, background, react as Texas won 6-5 in 10 innings. (Matt Slocum, AP)
Argentina's defender Gustavo Casado (R) heads the ball during the semifinal FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Qualifier football match against Uruguay in Buenos Aires on April 26, 2008. Argentina won 5-3, qualified for the World Cup, and will meet Brazil tomorrow for the final. (Juan Mabromata, AFP/Getty Images)
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. "ESPN will bolster its morning broadcasts with original content"
DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!
Posted at 6:09PM on May 10th 2008 by johnnyt471
2. Wow.. I haven't seen her on TV in a long time.
Posted at 9:36PM on May 10th 2008 by self help guides
3. Nice to see that she will anchor the show. I remember her on basketball games.
Posted at 9:36PM on May 10th 2008 by Travel Agent Home
4. I don't care if ESPN hires Donna Summer to anchor SportsCenter. Bashing the New York Yankees and kissin the Red Sox doesn't cut it for me.
Posted at 12:05AM on May 11th 2008 by George B Vieto
5. Bringing Hannah on isn't a good move for ESPN.
They'll have the same sort of problem that CBS has with using Katie Couric in evening news slot.
Just not what sports fans want to see handling the previous evening's results.
Posted at 10:06AM on May 11th 2008 by J.Goodrich