Elle Duncan: Netflix’s First Sports Anchor on ESPN Exit & Live Sports Plans

Elle Duncan is leaving ESPN to become Netflix’s first dedicated sports anchor, a move signaling the streaming giant’s aggressive push into live sports broadcasting. The announcement comes as Netflix prepares to air MLB Opening Day games, the Home Run Derby and Christmas Day NFL games this year, marking a significant expansion of its content offerings.

Duncan’s departure from ESPN and arrival at Netflix was discussed in a recent interview with Front Office Sports, where she detailed the factors influencing her decision. She will debut on Netflix with ‘Skyscraper Live,’ a broadcast featuring Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of Taipei 101, according to the Sports Business Journal.

Netflix’s foray into live sports isn’t limited to baseball and football. The company has also secured rights to broadcast MLB events throughout 2026, including Opening Night, according to reports. Barry Bonds has joined Netflix’s MLB coverage team for these events, adding a prominent figure to their broadcasting roster.

The move to bring on Duncan and secure high-profile sports rights underscores Netflix’s ambition to become a major player in the live sports market. The streaming service is betting that live events will attract and retain subscribers, offering a different type of content than its traditional scripted and unscripted programming.

Duncan’s role will be central to Netflix’s sports coverage, and her experience at ESPN will be valuable as the company navigates the complexities of live broadcasting. She discussed her preparation for the ‘Skyscraper Live’ event, highlighting the unique challenges of covering a real-time, high-stakes event like a free solo climb.