ESPN’s top 41 studio personalities in its first 41 years
Based on being identifiable, distinct, time in grade, personality, visibility, influence, contribution, popularity and cogency
Today, September 7th, ESPN turns 41. Yes, on this day in 1979, the all-sports network limped on the air, one of the very early national cable program providers.
There were tons of skeptics when it did. But like other progressive developments in world history, pioneers get it in the back. The industry at the time thought the idea was preposterous.
ESPN and its early anchors, interviewers and game voices couldn’t possibly have foreseen what great successes would come of the nation’s first all-sports network. They went at it out of conviction and passion, not riches. In time, the rest came.
These are the 41 top men and women who contributed to the enormous growth of ESPN. A few were there at the beginning to lay the foundation. There were others in the middle years to solidify the cornerstones set by the pioneers and then were those who arrived in the last decade or two to carry the mantle of sports media leadership to new heights.
Information is the currency of sports fans, yet it’s the talentedon-air personalities who present the scores, news and highlights; some with flavor and gusto, others in pleasant, workmanlike fashion. There are the opinionated, the stylized, the annoying, the interviewers and the reporters. We list the top 41.
Since 1979, ESPN has covered a kaleidoscope of sports. The talent, both men and women, have represented all ends of the spectrum. There’s always been a mix of opinions, those whose takes are guarded and tend to work with blind obedience and others who are brash and whose comments are inflammatory. There are those who are wordy and those who orate with eloquent brevity. There are the brash, the angry and the judgmental and others who maintain a passive stewardship of the microphone over which they’re presiding.
One thing for sure. In 41 years, failureat ESPN is not an option .
We separated the studio and reporting personnel from the play-by-players and sideliners.
Here you go. ESPN (Television)
1. Chris Berman– Time is the overseer of all things, a lifer(above)
2. Dick Vitale– Inviting, , neighborly, energetic and inspiring
3. Tony Kornheiser– Bastion of reasoning, curmudgeon
4. Mike Wilbon– Tackles thorny issues, less guarded
5. Stephen A. Smith – Bombastic, a mix of toxic opinions, polarizing, overpaid
6. Dan Patrick– Slick, flashy, wears the trappings of success, co*cky
7. Keith Olbermann– Brilliant, creative, at odds with the trappings of success
8. Scott Van Pelt– Midnight at the oasis, A perky voice of reason
9. Mike Tirico– Comfortable, humble, ubiquitous, overexposed
10. Linda Cohn– Indefatigable, upbeat, focused, reliable, cogent
11. Bob Ley– Forerunner, heady, committed, later found his niche
12. Steve Levy– Syrupy, versatile, entertaining, nonchalant
13. Suzy Kolber – Warm, prepared, imperturbable, comes quietly, leaves quietly
14. Robin Roberts– Bright, pioneer, paved way for those who followed
15. Stuart Scott– Clownish, stylish, more engaged, less contained*
16. Roy Firestone– Interviewer galore, irreplaceable, appointment viewing, missed
17. Karl Ravech– A pious disciple of routine, gets job done with no fuss
18. Chris Fowler– Informed, silky-smooth, does best work away from booth
19. Jay Bilas– Thinks like a lawyer, talks like one, emotionally distant
20. Tom Jackson– Omnipresent, never overbearing, synonymous with the fall
21. Dan Le Batard– Imaginative, unpredictable, thinks out of the box
22. Kirk Herbstreit– Talks enough for the other 40 on this list, shush already
23. John Saunders–Pleasant, insouciant, imperturbable*
24. Rich Eisen– Curious, reportorial instincts, tranquil
25. Rece Davis– Son of Alabama, but no strong southern twang, a fixture
26. Tim Brando– Resonant, comfortable in the studio and in the booth
27. Barry Melrose– Irreverent, spontaneous, funny, made for TV
28. Tom Rinaldi– Professorial, textbook interviewer and staunch reporter
29. Dick Schaap– Heady, observant, thought provoking, natural newsman*
30. Mike Greenberg–Polished, grew popularity across ESPN platforms
31. Mel Kiper Jr.– Synonymous with NFL draft, gets 15 minutes of fame yearly
32. Tom Mees– 18 early and decorated years, died tragically*
33. Jeremy Schapp– Chip off the old block, throaty, has dad’s vocal cadence
34. Trey Wingo– The TV side worked for decades, ESPN Radio didn’t
35. Hannah Storm– Steady, vet, smooth, class
36. Chris Myers– Solid in studio, friendly and sound play-by-player
37. Jamele Hill– fiery, brash, lightning rod for criticism
38. Mike Golic– Brawny, husky voiced, survivor
39. Maria Taylor– Fresh, energetic, bold
40. Charley Steiner– Son of radio, tousled hair, hearty laugh
41. Kenny Mayne– Wry mouthed, deadpanned and steady
*Deceased
Top Major League Baseball Voices
1. Jon Miller
2. Boog Sciambi
Top Versatile play-by-play Voices
1. Sean McDonough
2. Jim Simpson
Top NFL play-by-play voice
1. Mike Patrick
2. Mike Tirico
Top NHL play-by-play voices
1. Gary Thorne
2. Steve Levy
Top college football play-by-play voices
1. Brent Musburger
2. Ron Franklin
Top college basketball play-by-play voices
1. Dan Shulman
2. Dave Pasch
Top NBA play-by-play voices
1. Mike Breen
2. Mark Jones
Top Sideline reporters
1. Erin Andrews
2. Lisa Salters
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