{
  "id": 16466905,
  "title": "Rich Eisen went from SportsCenter to NFL Network to owning his show. Now he’s back at ESPN, betting ’90s nostalgia still sells",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/rich-eisen-went-from-sportscenter-to-nfl-network-to-owning-his-show",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-25T10:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/10/25/rich-eisen-went-from-sportscenter-to-nfl-network-to-owning-his-own-show-now-hes-back-at-espn-betting-90s-nostalgia-still-sells/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In August, Rich Eisen made his return to ESPN’s SportsCenter after a 22-year hiatus. ESPN brought back the show’s vintage graphics and music, which resonated with viewers. The broadcast drew 708,000 viewers, a 67% increase over SportsCenter's average in that 11 p.m. ET slot. Fans expressed their appreciation online, with Eisen recalling a video of a woman crying as the opening played, saying, \"It was a simpler time.\" This inspired Eisen to create a nostalgia video podcast, \"This Was SportsCenter: Stories from the Set,\" featuring interviews with former colleagues. The first season debuted in June on Disney+ and ESPN's platforms, followed by a second season in 2027. Eisen, 57, previously worked for ESPN from 1996 to 2003, contributing to the show's cultural peak. During his time at NFL Network, he launched The Rich Eisen Show, which aired on DirecTV's Audience Network. In 2019, the show was set to end when Eisen took over as its owner. This December marks the seventh anniversary of his ownership, during which the show's revenue grew and expanded across various platforms. Eisen emphasizes creating a positive work environment and is exploring new ventures, such as podcasts and a celebrity-driven show. His wife, Suzy Shuster, created Women’s Sports Now, a weekly show that Eisen's production company also produces.",
  "summary": "The broadcaster and CEO is streaming on Disney+, airing on ESPN Radio, and mining ESPN’s archive for a SportsCenter nostalgia series.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}