ESPN has announced a significant change in its on-air lineup, appointing Christine Williamson as the lead host for its women’s basketball coverage, effective immediately. This new role sees Williamson succeeding Elle Duncan, who has left ESPN to join Netflix in a key position aimed at expanding the streaming service’s sports coverage.
Williamson’s first assignment in her new capacity will be to host pregame and halftime segments for the upcoming Dec. 14 game featuring Penn State against No. 3 South Carolina on ESPN. In January, she will step into the role of host for the “Women’s College Gameday” show, further solidifying her presence in ESPN’s women’s basketball programming. Additionally, she will co-anchor the 6 p.m. ET “SportsCenter” alongside Kevin Negandhi. Williamson is also scheduled to lead ESPN’s coverage of the NCAA Women’s Final Four in April 2026.
Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of content, expressed strong confidence in Williamson, citing her energy, personality, and extensive sports knowledge. He emphasized her ability to engage with fans and her proven track record of providing top-tier coverage, both on “SportsCenter” and during “GameDay” events.
Williamson joined ESPN in 2019, originally serving as a digital host. Over the years, she has anchored various “SportsCenter” episodes and co-hosted the “Countdown to College Gameday” during college football season. Apart from her broadcasting career, Williamson also has a background in athletics as a former college volleyball player at the University of Miami.
The departure of Duncan, who had been a significant figure at ESPN, was reported by The Athletic in late November. Duncan’s move to Netflix allows her to explore new opportunities while retaining the freedom to appear on other networks or platforms, coinciding with Netflix’s acquisition of rights to various sports events, including Christmas Day NFL games. This transition marks a pivotal moment for both Williamson and ESPN’s approach to women’s sports coverage as they aim to enhance visibility and engagement with audiences.
