Rich Eisen’s ‘SportsCenter’ had everything fans have been missing from ESPN.
On Monday, iconic sports broadcaster Rich Eisen hosted ESPN's "SportsCenter" for the first time in 22 years.
After a nostalgic reminder of ESPN’s flagship highlights show, fans weren’t ready to wait another two decades to see it again.
"Maybe I'm just an old, out-of-touch sports fan, but I do wish there was a place nowadays for Sportscenter the way it once was," read a popular post on X after the show.
"No talk segments, no debates, just highlights after highlights after highlights. What a refreshing throwback to the 90s."
For real though — bring back this graphics package, bring back this music, bring back highlights all the time.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) August 19, 2025
Ditch the “embrace debate” shtick.
Go back in time for real with this. https://t.co/jPqfv2fJJH
Old-School 'SportsCenter' In Demand Again
Eisen's special edition of "SportsCenter" after the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Commanders preseason NFL game included several throwback elements.
- Retro graphics inspired by the style of ESPN in its golden age of the 1990s
- Saxophone music underneath game highlights during Eisen's old-school intro
- Tributes to legendary "SportsCenter" hosts like Chris Berman and Stuart Scott
- Classic "This is SportsCenter" commercials
Rich Eisen's tribute to Stuart Scott "We all know, there should be someone else right here in this chair next to me" pic.twitter.com/w433bDGb9k
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) August 19, 2025
Over the years, new voices have emerged at ESPN, and the style of "SportsCenter" has changed to reflect that. It evolved from a highlights show driven by charismatic hosts into today’s debate-and-analysis format.
Viewers of Monday night's throwback edition believed that keeping a few of the retro elements around would benefit ESPN in 2025.
Literally just take these graphics, touch them up a bit keep the presentation and music and we will be great
— Jahmeir D. ✭ (@JDCowboys2) August 19, 2025
"Please stay with these graphics and music," one fan replied to the official "SportsCenter" account.
"Please keep these graphics," urged another.
"These aesthetics, music, and graphics need to come back," echoed an X user.
Rich Eisen's Return to ESPN
The special edition of "SportsCenter" was made possible by Eisen's return to ESPN in 2025. As a part of the ESPN app's move into the direct-to-consumer model, he will host "The Rich Eisen Show" beginning Sept. 2 on Disney and ESPN platforms.
Eisen worked for ESPN from 1996-2003. He is currently a broadcaster for NFL Network, a role he will maintain separately from his new show on ESPN. The NFL recently purchased a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN, giving it rights to NFL Network and other league media assets.
The "Worldwide Leader in Sports" proved that it can still produce the type of "SportsCenter" that sports fans love.
Despite the overwhelming reaction, Monday's nostalgic special edition appeared to be a one-time offering in the changing landscape of ESPN in 2025.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Category: Football
