Scott Van Pelt named 'Monday Night Countdown' host with Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears joining
Scott Van Pelt has signed a new, multiyear extension with ESPN to become the new host of "Monday Night Countdown," while Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears will be new additions to the show, the network announced Monday.
Joining them on the show will be Robert Griffin III, Adam Schefter and features reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck, while Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and Alex Smith will join periodically during the season.
I guess summer is OVER - over.
Excited to work on something new and something old. Great people involved with both.
My appreciation for what we get to do and for you all being out there is hard to explain. I remain grateful for it all.— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) August 21, 2023
The new group will debut together during ESPN’s only preseason game tonight, airing from 7-8 p.m., before the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders game. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and John Parry will call the matchup.
"Monday Night Countdown" is set for a regular-season premiere before Aaron Rodgers’ debut with the New York Jets as they host the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11.
Scott Van Pelt to host, along with additions of Ryan Clark & Marcus Spears, as Monday Night Countdown revamps ahead of ESPN's 25-game 2023-24 NFL slate
Tonight, a special edition of Countdown (7p ET, ESPN) ahead of ESPN's #BALvsWAS preseason game
More: https://t.co/6NQm2fmTdv pic.twitter.com/bzgaQPOHqE— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 21, 2023
ESPN’s changes come following a series of layoffs earlier this summer, which included former Monday Night Countdown host Suzy Kolber and longtime contributor Steve Young.
Van Pelt will add "Monday Night Countdown" to his repertoire of ESPN shows, which include "SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt," coverage at golf majors such as the PGA Championship and the Masters, the monthly "Bad Beats" show and the weekly "SVPod" podcast.
ESPN signs @notthefakeSVP to new, multi-year deal with expanded role including being named the new host of Monday Night Countdown
More: https://t.co/6NQm2fmTdv pic.twitter.com/UBsJLsSM9K— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 21, 2023
Clark, who won the Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2008 season, won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Studio Analyst in May. He is also host of "The Pivot" podcast, featuring former NFL standouts Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder.
Spears, the former Dallas Cowboys’ first-round pick, also continues his rise at the network following appearances on ESPN’s "Get Up" and "NFL Live" programs.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Scott Van Pelt's new ESPN deal includes Monday Night Countdown host