Rich Eisen Returns to ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’ After 20-Year Hiatus

Longtime football fans are in for a nostalgia hit this Monday night. Right after the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders finish their Monday Night Football clash, Rich Eisen is making a big return to where it all began — ESPN’s SportsCenter.

Eisen will step back into the anchor chair for the first time in more than two decades, co-hosting alongside NFL analyst Mina Kimes. It marks his first appearance on the iconic sports news show since 2003.

A Full Circle Moment

Eisen became a familiar face to sports fans during his original run at ESPN from 1996 to 2003. Known for his sharp wit, smooth delivery, and love for the NFL, he helped define SportsCenter during a golden era. In 2003, he left the network to help launch NFL Network, where he became one of its most recognized hosts.

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Now, more than 20 years later, Eisen is officially back on ESPN — thanks to a new broadcasting deal that shook up the sports media landscape earlier this month.

The ESPN-NFL Network Deal

In early August, ESPN finalized a deal to acquire NFL Network, bringing both operations under the same umbrella for the first time. The move opened the door for shared talent and programming, and Eisen’s return to SportsCenter is one of the first high-profile examples of that crossover.

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Although he’ll continue his main duties with NFL Network, fans can expect to see Eisen pop up on ESPN more often moving forward.

More Eisen on the Way

And that’s not all — the Rich Eisen Show, Eisen’s popular weekday radio and TV talk show, will also join the ESPN lineup starting in September. That partnership had already been in the works before the acquisition but will now have even more reach on the ESPN platform.

With Eisen returning to his ESPN roots while continuing to lead football coverage at NFL Network, fans can expect plenty of insightful — and entertaining — sports commentary from the veteran host across both channels.

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For sports fans who remember Eisen’s original SportsCenter days, Monday night’s episode will feel like a blast from the past — but with a fresh twist.