"Yikes. Awful hire": Analyst sounds off on Elle Duncan joining Netflix to lead sports coverage

Arnold
MLB All-Star Week: Celebrity Softball Game - Source: Getty
Analyst sounds off on Elle Duncan joining Netflix to lead sports coverage - Source: Getty

Elle Duncan is on course to join Netflix to lead the sports coverage for the streaming platform, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported on Monday. Duncan has been hosting ESPN's "SportsCenter" for nearly five years, but is expected to become the "face" of sports coverage for Netflix.

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While there were mixed reactions to Duncan's impending move to Netflix, sports analyst Jon Root wasn't too pleased when he caught wind of the news.

"Elle Duncan, who protested Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis’ 'Don’t Say Gay' bill live on air at ESPN, because she was angry that teachers can't talk about sex and transgenderism with 6-year olds, is gonna be the face of Netflix Sports. Yikes. Awful hire," Root tweeted on Monday.
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Along with his tweet, Root added a video clip of Duncan from March 2022, in which she said on air that many of her colleagues at ESPN organized a walkout to express their support of the LGBTQ+ community.

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"We understand the gravity of this legislation and also how it’s affecting so many families across this country, and because of that, our allyship is going to take a front seat, and with that, we’re going to pause in solidarity," Duncan said in the video clip.

Duncan is a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. She has often spoken in favor of LGBTQ+ rights, and reportedly has a sister who is a lesbian.

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Elle Duncan likely to leave ESPN for new Netflix role

SportsCenter host Elle Duncan - Source: Getty
SportsCenter host Elle Duncan - Source: Getty

According to reports, Netflix intends for Elle Duncan to hold a prominent on-air role, but still allow her room for outside opportunities. However, there is a feeling that Duncan will leave ESPN to join Netflix.

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The specific contract details for Duncan's Netflix role are yet to be ironed out. Netflix has obtained the rights to host NFL games on Christmas.

Here's a look at the schedule for this season's NFL games on Netflix:

  • Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders: 1 p.m. ET, Netflix
  • Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: 4:30 p.m. ET, Netflix

At ESPN, Duncan has hosted College GameDay and coverage of the women’s Final Four and WNBA Finals.

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