Netflix execs used to dismiss the idea that they would acquire live sports rights. Now the world’s biggest premium streamer — which has deals with the NFL, MLB, the Women’s World Cup, WWE and more — has tapped its first on-air sports host: ESPN anchor Elle Duncan.
Duncan, known for her work on ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” “College GameDay” and “WNBA Countdown,” inked a multiyear deal with Netflix to serve as a host across the company’s lineup of sports and cultural live events.
Duncan’s first hosting duties for the Big Red N will begin in early 2026 with “Skyscraper Live,” where free solo climber Alex Honnold will attempt to scale Taipei 101 — the tallest building in Taiwan, at 1,667 feet.
Duncan said in a statement, “Joining Netflix feels like being invited to an already legendary party and somehow getting handed the aux cord! For a lifelong utility player, a multisport assignment is a full-circle moment, and being trusted with something this one-of-a-kind feels incredibly special and surreal. I’m bringing boundless energy, storytelling, and bad puns no one asked for but will be subjected to anyway.”
She added: “Also, I was told this fast-tracks my kids to meeting the KPop Demon Hunters, soooo…win-win.”
“Elle Duncan’s proven ability to seamlessly move between hard-hitting sports analysis and warm, personality-driven cultural hosting makes her a perfect fit at Netflix,” said Gabe Spitzer, VP of sports at Netflix. “She immediately adds credibility and familiar star power to our global programming slate.”
Duncan joined ESPN in 2016, where she hosted the 6 p.m. ET edition of “SportsCenter.” At the Disney-owned sports giant, she held key roles across college and professional basketball, including hosting “College GameDay” (women’s basketball) and “WNBA Countdown.”
Previously, Duncan spent two years as anchor, host and reporter for the New England Sports Network (NESN) in Boston, most recently hosting the daily NESN Live and NESN Sports Today programs. Before that, the Atlanta native worked in a number of on-air positions in her home city on both TV and radio, including as a sports anchor and reporter for NBC affiliate WXIA-TV from 2012-14. Duncan was a sideline reporter for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks for six years and a field reporter for Comcast Sports South on SEC and ACC football for two years.
Duncan began her broadcasting career in 2003 as an entertainment reporter for former Atlanta sports radio station 790 the Zone, then in 2005 began a seven-year career as an on-air personality with Atlanta hip-hop station V103. She expanded her radio work as co-host of pre-game, halftime and post-game shows for the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network in 2010-11.
