ESPN Recruits Emmy Winner Talaya Gaines for Leadership Role
This marks a homecoming for Gaines, who previously spent 14 years at ESPN.
ESPN has announced the hiring of three-time Emmy Award-winning sports media executive Talaya Gaines as Vice President, Talent Relations and Development.
What's Happening:
- Gaines brings 18 years of industry experience and returns to ESPN after serving as Vice President, Content Strategy and Original Programming at MSG Networks.
- She previously spent 14 years at ESPN, most recently as Managing Producer for ESPN+ and Original Content.
- Gaines will officially begin her new role on January 5th, 2026.
- In her position, she will oversee the management, development, and recruitment of on-air and production talent. She will work closely with ESPN’s content leadership team.
- Gaines will report to Freddy Rolón, ESPN Head of Global Sports and Talent Office.
- Gaines’ leadership was recently recognized by Essence Magazine as part of its The Women’s Playbook issue. She was also named one of Cynopsis’ Top Women in Media in 2024.
- As part of ESPN’s Talent Office expansion, Rosetta Ellis-Pilie has been appointed to the newly created role of Vice President, Talent Negotiations and Policy.
- Ellis-Pilie will also report to Freddy Rolón, ESPN Head of Global Sports and Talent Office.
What They're Saying:
- Freddy Rolón, ESPN Head of Global Sports and Talent Office: “The expansion of our Talent Office is a significant investment in ESPN’s talent community. We have the deepest roster in sports media, and the addition of Talaya to our team will super-serve this exceptional group while strategically positioning them to thrive.”
More ESPN News:
- ESPN has launched a new ad campaign for their recently released DTC service, showing how sports are "Always in Season."
- ESPN has signed a new multi-year deal with The Heisman Trophy Trust, securing its role as the exclusive broadcaster of the Heisman Trophy Ceremony.
- A new E60 special is set to take a closer look at how college sports operate in 2025, with Paid to Play: Understanding College Sports in 2025.
- Sports fans who love analytics will surely want to start tuning into a Monday Night Football altcast that is arriving later this month on various ESPN platforms.