ESPN's David Roberts to Retire After 50 Year Long Career in Media
Roberts served as the network's Executive Vice President and Executive Editor of Sports News and Entertainment.
David Roberts, a longtime leader at ESPN who helped shape its news and studio programming, is set to retire after a decades-long career in the media industry.
What’s Happening:
- David Roberts will retire from ESPN at the end of August after nearly 50 years in media.
- He joined ESPN in 2004 and rose to Executive Vice President and Executive Editor of Sports News and Entertainment.
- Roberts oversees ESPN’s news division, including journalism, digital content, SportsCenter, studio shows, podcasts, and audio.
- He also supervises major programs like First Take, Get Up, PTI, and NFL Live.
- Roberts described his 22-year ESPN career as an “honor and a blessing.”
- He received major honors, including the NATAS Silver Circle (2024) and induction into the NABJ Hall of Fame (2023).
- Under his leadership, ESPN studio shows achieved strong ratings and expanded initiatives like First Take’s HBCU campus tours.
- SportsCenter reached record viewership levels and expanded with new editions and nationwide projects like 50 States in 50 Days.
- He helped launch shows such as NBA Today and supported talent development for personalities like Malika Andrews, Chiney Ogwumike, and Andraya Carter.
- Roberts also played a role in expanding ESPN’s radio and digital programming, including collaborations with Rich Eisen.
- Before ESPN, he spent over 25 years in local news and became the first African American news director in Ohio and later in Georgia.
- His career began in 1978 in Detroit and included leadership roles across multiple U.S. television stations.
What They’re Saying:
- David Roberts: “This has been both a real honor and a blessing to work for and with the most talented people in the industry. I am extremely humbled and grateful to have had the opportunities afforded me as a member of the ESPN leadership team. It has been simply an awesome 22 years.”
- Burke Magnus, ESPN President, Content: “David Roberts has had a long and extremely distinguished career in this industry and we’ve been fortunate to have him as part of the ESPN team for more than two decades. His leadership has made a tremendous difference and he will leave a lasting legacy at ESPN. We wish him all the best in retirement.”
Test Your Knowledge:
- A new spinoff of Jeopardy! is heading to Hulu and Disney+, highlighting sports trivia!
- ESPN Jeopardy! will be hosted by Monday Night Football’s Joe Buck, and is currently on the way to bring the fun of trivia to sports fanatics around the globe.
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