Rich Eisen Launches 'This Was SportsCenter' Podcast Series

Veteran broadcaster Rich Eisen is set to pull back the curtain on one of television’s most iconic franchises with his new video podcast, "This Was SportsCenter: Stories From the Set." Launching June 5, the series will be available across Disney+, the ESPN App, and major podcast platforms, offering fans an intimate look at the history and evolution of ESPN’s flagship program.

Since its inception in 1979, "SportsCenter" has transcended its role as a simple highlights reel to become a foundational element of American pop culture. The show’s influence is perhaps best exemplified by its legendary "This Is SportsCenter" commercial campaigns, which have become so ingrained in the cultural zeitgeist that professional sports organizations, such as the Atlanta Falcons, continue to pay homage to them in their own promotional content decades later.

This project represents a significant expansion of the "SportsCenter" brand into the digital-first audio and video space. By leveraging Eisen’s deep industry knowledge and personal history with the network, the podcast aims to bridge the gap between the show's legacy and modern streaming audiences. For ESPN, the series serves as a strategic move to capitalize on nostalgia while reinforcing the brand's enduring relevance in a fragmented media landscape.

Ultimately, the series highlights the shift toward retrospective storytelling in sports media. As networks look to deepen fan engagement, "This Was SportsCenter" provides a platform to document the behind-the-scenes culture that shaped the industry, ensuring that the history of the network remains accessible to both long-time viewers and a new generation of sports fans.