For Immediate Release
ESPN PR
April 22, 2008
860-766-2000

ESPN Radio to Re-Launch Weekday 1-3 p.m. ET Slot as Tirico & Van Pelt

Scott Van Pelt to also Host 3-4 p.m. M-F

Debuting May 1, SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt will become co-host of ESPN Radio’s new Tirico & Van Pelt weekday show (1-3 p.m. ET), previously The Mike Tirico Show, which premiered in September 2007.

Van Pelt, who has served as one of the regular co-hosts with Tirico, will also become solo host of ESPN Radio’s 3-4 p.m. weekday slot, replacing Stephen A. Smith, who will now concentrate on his ESPN increased television and NBA reporting and analysis responsibilities.

 

"Clearly some execs made a decision that will ultimately cost them their jobs,” Van Pelt said of his more prominent role with ESPN Radio. “Before that inevitable end, I look forward to all the opportunities this presents to work with people I respect and enjoy. The solo hour will likely advance the level of discourse to a place never before heard in human history."

Tirico said, “I am thrilled to have a friend like Scott as a regular partner, and I look forward to the trouble he will cause on his own in the third hour.”

 

For downloadable photos, click HERE

Scott Van Pelt - Credit: ESPN/Joe Faraoni

 

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit and sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, who have also been regular co-hosts on The Mike Tirico Show, will continue to contribute to Tirico & Van Pelt, and serve as co-hosts when scheduling conflicts make either Van Pelt or Tirico unavailable.

 

 

 

Van Pelt joined ESPN from The Golf Channel (1994-2000) in Spring 2001 as the network’s lead professional golf reporter, and has become one of SportCenter’s primary anchors. A native of Brookville, Md., Van Pelt graduated from the University of Maryland, and began his sports broadcasting career at WTTG-TV (FOX) in Washington, D.C. in 1990. 

 

ESPN Radio Afternoon Line-Up                

1-3 p.m.            Tirico & Van Pelt                     

3-4 p.m.            The Scott Van Pelt Show

4-6:30 p.m.      SportsNation  

-- 30 --