Scott Van Pelt: ESPN's Big Move for the Coveted 5 PM Timeslot?

ESPN could be shaking up its weekday programming in a major way, with fan-favorite Scott Van Pelt emerging as the top candidate to take over the crucial 5 PM ET slot, previously held by "Around the Horn."

TL;DR

Scott Van Pelt is a "strong possibility" to anchor the 5 PM ET weekday slot on ESPN, a prime spot between "NFL Live" and "Pardon the Interruption."
ESPN president of content Burke Magnus confirms the discussions, noting a move would offer "relief" from Van Pelt's demanding late-night schedule.
A hoped-for reunion between Van Pelt and former radio partner Ryen Russillo for the new show was thwarted when Russillo joined Barstool Sports.
The new 5 PM show isn't expected until 2026, as ESPN takes its time, especially since the current placeholder "SportsCenter" is actually out-rating "Around the Horn" in the slot.

The Big Shake-Up: Scott Van Pelt's Potential New Role in ESPN's Primetime Lineup

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Hey sports fans, get ready for a potential seismic shift in your weekday viewing schedule! Word on the street – or rather, from reliable sources like Andrew Marchand of The Athletic – is that ESPN is seriously eyeing none other than Scott Van Pelt to anchor their coveted 5 PM ET weekday time slot. You know Scott Van Pelt (SVP) as the familiar face of the late-night "SportsCenter" and a fixture on "Monday Night Countdown." But now, he could be moving to an earlier, much-discussed slot that's been vacant since "Around the Horn" wrapped its 23-year run back in May 2025.

This isn't just a minor reshuffle; we're talking about a significant programming decision for ESPN. The network views the 5 PM slot as "beachfront property," situated perfectly between the popular "NFL Live" and the long-running, highly-rated "Pardon the Interruption" (PTI). Imagine the possibilities with SVP bringing his unique blend of personality and insightful commentary to that lead-in role!

The Scott Van Pelt & Ryen Russillo Reunion That Almost Was for ESPN

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Interestingly, this wasn't ESPN's first grand plan for the 5 PM slot. According to Burke Magnus, ESPN's president of content, there was a brief but exciting concept to reunite Scott Van Pelt with his former radio co-host, Ryen Russillo. For those who remember, the duo hosted "SVP & Russillo" on ESPN Radio from 2009 to 2015, amassing a loyal following.

Magnus even admitted it was a "selfish concept" on his part, born from his own fandom of their past collaboration. However, that dream reunion hit a snag: Ryen Russillo recently made a big career move, departing Bill Simmons' Ringer Network to launch a new venture backed by Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy back in August. So, while the idea of getting the band back together was compelling, it ultimately didn't pan out.

"That 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. It just so happened that Ryen was exploring his future on a similar timeline. He ended up doing something different."

— Burke Magnus, ESPN President of Content

Despite Russillo’s new path, Van Pelt remains a strong frontrunner for the 5 PM gig, showing just how highly ESPN values his talent and appeal.

Why This Potential Move Makes a Lot of Sense for ESPN's Prized Talent

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So, why is this move even on the table for someone as established as Scott Van Pelt? Well, it seems to be a win-win situation for both SVP and ESPN. Van Pelt, now at 58 years old, has openly hinted in recent years that he doesn't see himself doing the late-night grind forever. Hosting the 11 PM "SportsCenter" since 2015 means a lifestyle that's literally "upside-down," as Magnus put it.

A move to 5 PM ET would undoubtedly offer "some relief" in that regard, allowing him a more traditional schedule closer to his family in Washington D.C. (where his "SportsCenter" show relocated from Bristol, CT, back in August 2020). Plus, having a major personality like SVP in that key early evening slot could provide a strong lead-in to PTI and capitalize on the network's valuable inventory.

This isn't the first time ESPN has made accommodations for Van Pelt; his D.C. relocation was a testament to their commitment to keeping him happy. With his extensive duties, including his popular podcast and lead host for ESPN's golf coverage, a shift to an earlier weekday slot could extend his illustrious ESPN career for years to come.

Who Else Is Eyeing ESPN's Coveted Early Evening Timeslot Opportunity?

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While Scott Van Pelt is definitely the leading candidate, he's not the only one on ESPN's radar for this significant slot. The network has a few other talented individuals who could step up if Van Pelt decides against the move, or if they opt for a different programming direction. Here are the other names being circulated:

Peter Schrager: An NFL analyst who joined ESPN in May, Schrager has made a name for himself covering professional football. He's known for having a wide variety of sports interests, making him a versatile choice.
Brian Windhorst: The well-known NBA Insider has been with ESPN since 2010. Windhorst is a regular on shows like "Get Up," "First Take," and "NBA Today," and his contract was recently renewed, indicating ESPN's continued faith in his on-air presence and expertise.

Both Schrager and Windhorst fit the bill of "insiders" who have the experience to host an entire show, aligning with some previous reports that ESPN might consider an insider-focused program for the slot.

Don't Expect a Rush: ESPN Is Taking Its Time to Get It Right

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Even with "Around the Horn" off the air since May, don't expect a new show in the 5 PM ET slot to debut anytime soon. ESPN is in "no rush" to make a final decision, and for good reason.

Here's why they're taking their sweet time:

Current Ratings Success: The generic "SportsCenter" that's been airing in the 5-5:30 PM slot has actually been performing surprisingly well. It's out-rating "Around the Horn's" old numbers by a significant margin—16% year-to-year, with 448,000 viewers compared to 386,000 for "ATH." Burke Magnus noted, "We are pleasantly surprised by how (SportsCenter) has a bigger audience than what Around The Horn was doing."
Getting It Right: Because of this unexpected ratings boost, ESPN feels it has the luxury to thoroughly evaluate its options. Magnus emphasized, "We are looking at taking all the time we need to get it right."
Target 2026: The general consensus is that a new 5 PM show won't actually arrive on ESPN's airwaves until 2026. This allows ample time for planning, development, and securing the right talent for what they consider a critical time slot.

What Happens to Late-Night SportsCenter Without SVP at the Helm?

While a move to 5 PM ET might be fantastic for Scott Van Pelt and for ESPN's early evening lineup, it would undoubtedly leave a considerable void in the late-night "SportsCenter" slot he's called home since 2015. His personality-driven show has become an institution, consistently delivering strong ratings and unique segments that fans adore.

If SVP does shift, the big question for ESPN then becomes: Who takes over late-night? Would they return to a more traditional "SportsCenter" format with rotating anchors, or would they try to cultivate another permanent, personality-driven host? Speculation includes names like Gary Striewski and Randy Scott, who have taken on prominent roles recently. It's clear that Van Pelt's late-night shoes would be tough to fill, and finding the right successor would be another major programming decision for the network.

It's also worth noting that even if he moves to 5 PM, Van Pelt would likely still host some late-night "SportsCenter" editions after major sporting events like "Monday Night Football," where he also hosts "Monday Night Countdown." So, while his daily presence might change, you might still catch him on your screens after the big games!

Frequently Asked Questions About ESPN's 5 PM Slot When will ESPN announce a new show for the 5 PM ET slot? ESPN is taking its time with this decision. While "Around the Horn" was cancelled in May 2025, a new permanent show for the 5 PM ET slot is not expected to launch until 2026. What show is currently airing in the 5 PM ET slot? Currently, a standard edition of "SportsCenter" is airing in the 5-5:30 PM ET slot. Surprisingly, this placeholder has been drawing higher ratings than "Around the Horn" previously did. Why is the 5 PM ET slot considered so important to ESPN? The 5 PM ET slot is strategically placed between two of ESPN's key shows: "NFL Live" and "Pardon the Interruption." It acts as a crucial lead-in to "PTI," which is one of ESPN's highest-rated daytime programs, making it valuable "beachfront property" for the network's programming schedule. Who are the other potential candidates besides Scott Van Pelt for the 5 PM slot? In addition to Scott Van Pelt, other prominent ESPN personalities being considered for the 5 PM ET slot include NFL analyst Peter Schrager and NBA Insider Brian Windhorst. Both have strong on-air experience and expertise in their respective sports. Sources