ESPN\u2019s next blockbuster announcement could involve one of its popular figures.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Network staple Scott Van Pelt has emerged as a leading candidate<\/a> to fill ESPN\u2019s vacant 5 p.m. weekday show time slot, according to a Tuesday report from The Athletic.\u00a0<\/p>\n Van Pelt, the longtime host of the late-night \u201cSportsCenter\u201d and \u201cMonday Night Countdown,\u201d could move up in the day to fill the void left by \u201cAround the Horn,\u201d which was cancelled in May after 23 years on air.\u00a0<\/p>\n ESPN Broadcaster Scott Van Pelt reacts before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions on September 22, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. Getty Images<\/p>\n The potential switch would mark one of the biggest shakeups in ESPN history.<\/p>\n ESPN president of content Burke Magnus confirmed Van Pelt\u2019s candidacy to The Athletic and revealed his original intention to reunite him with popular podcaster and ex-ESPNer Ryen Russillo.<\/p>\n Van Pelt and Russillo amassed a loyal following as ESPN Radio partners from 2012-15, but a wrench was thrown into Magnus\u2019 reunion plan when Russillo announced in August that he was leaving The Ringer to launch a new venture with Barstool Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a bit of a selfish concept by me, because I was such a huge fan of those two when they were together years ago,\u201d Magnus said. \u201cIt just so happened that Ryen was exploring his future on a similar timeline. He ended up doing something different.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, Magnus views Van Pelt as a prime candidate to fill the 5 p.m. ET time slot between \u201cNFL Live\u201d and \u201cPardon the Interruption.\u201d<\/p>\n Other names on that short list include Peter Schrager and Brian Windhorst, according to the report.<\/p>\n Scott Van Pelt and Trevor Lawrence eat birthday cake on the SportsCenter set. Getty Images<\/p>\n