Elle Duncan Joins Netflix as New Face of Sports Division

ATLANTA, GA – Elle Duncan, a veteran anchor at ESPN, is poised to become the new face of Netflix‘s sports division, according to sources cited by The Athletic. The anticipated contract is not yet signed, but it signals Netflix’s commitment to expanding live sports content.

Duncan, 42, has worked at ESPN for nearly a decade, gaining recognition as a co-host on the 6 p.m. edition of SportsCenter. Her experience also includes hosting women’s basketball events like the Women’s Final Four and the WNBA Finals. Sources revealed that while Duncan will prioritize Netflix, she may still appear on other networks, potentially maintaining her role in women’s basketball coverage.

While details about her Netflix contract remain under wraps, there is uncertainty surrounding her future at ESPN. Discussions between Duncan and ESPN have suggested that there could be pathways for her to continue focusing on women’s basketball, although it seems unlikely due to Netflix becoming her main priority.

Netflix has progressively moved into the live sports arena, acquiring rights for events such as Christmas Day NFL games and the Women’s World Cup. The streaming service has also hired prominent personalities for special events, leading to concerns that sharing talent could bolster a competitor.

Netflix’s first major sporting event featuring Duncan is expected to be the Opening Day stream between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants in March. This move reflects Netflix’s ambition to develop a robust sports portfolio, despite it currently lacking a fully fleshed-out sports calendar.

Duncan’s transition comes as Netflix widens its reach in sports programming, having previously launched initiatives such as a 10-year deal to exclusively stream WWE’s Monday Night Raw. Sources close to the negotiations reveal that Duncan is excited about the opportunities Netflix might present, including potential events beyond traditional sports.