Rich Eisen is set to host SportsCenter tonight for the first time in two decades, anchoring the 11 p.m. ET edition from Los Angeles after ESPN’s coverage of the Bengals-Commanders preseason game. Eisen, who spent time with ESPN from 1996 to 2003 before moving to NFL Network, will be joined on the postgame show by his former Monday Night Football booth partners Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes will be in the L.A. studio for the telecast.
In addition to tonight’s appearance, The Rich Eisen Show is scheduled to debut on Disney and ESPN platforms on September 2, with continuing airings on The Roku Sports Channel and SiriusXM. Eisen will continue his NFL Network duties and is expected to appear on other ESPN studio programs in the future, signaling a cross-platform collaboration across Eisen’s media portfolio.
Summary: Rich Eisen returns to host SportsCenter from Los Angeles after a preseason game, with Buck, Aikman, and Kimes contributing, as his new show launches across multiple Disney and ESPN platforms while maintaining his NFL Network role.
Comments and context: This collaboration highlights a broader strategy to blend traditional linear broadcasts with streaming and digital platforms, offering fans new crossovers and extended access to Eisen’s commentary. The move also strengthens ties between ESPN’s NFL coverage and Eisen’s broader media presence, just as the NFL season approaches. Positive note: fans get a familiar voice on SportsCenter and a new, multiplatform platform for Eisen’s content.