Linda Cohn, one of the few SportsCenter anchors who always put the fan first, set to retire from ESPN
Article excerpt
Linda Cohn is retiring from ESPN on June 30 after nearly 34 years, having hosted more editions of SportsCenter than anyone in company history.
TV personality Linda Cohn of ESPN attends the DirectTV Now launch at Venue 57 on November 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/WireImage) - Bennett Raglin/WireImage
After over three decades behind the SportsCenter desk, anchor Linda Cohn is signing off for good. The ESPN fixture is retiring after 34 years, and her last day will be June 30.
Her departure comes as her contract expires, and both parties mutually decided to part ways rather than negotiate a new deal (per USA Today).
“Linda Cohn is a legend and a major part of the history of ESPN,” he said. “She has brought enthusiasm, personality, and her love of sports to our audience for more than 30 years, and her contributions to ESPN both in front of and behind the camera would make a very long list. We wish her all the best in her retirement and sincerely thank her,” said ESPN president Burke Magnus in a statement from the network.
“What I’m most proud of is that my career lasted long enough for me to see little girls grow up watching SportsCenter, enter this business, and succeed in it,” Cohn shared about her retirement on X.
“What I’m most proud of is that my career lasted long enough for me to see little girls grow up watching @SportsCenter, enter this business & succeed in it.”
After hosting 5,500+ editions of SC, legendary anchor @lindacohn is retiring from ESPN June 30
https://t.co/mQlS2Eq07Spic.twitter.com/AaRNEQSTFE
, ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) June 22, 2026
Cohn began her career in Patchogue, New York, as a news anchor and writer for WALK-AM/FM in 1981 before moving to Bristol, Connecticut, in 1992, and continued to Los Angeles in 2009 to host the early morning shift of SportsCenter. When ESPN moved the show back to Connecticut last year, Cohn shifted to special projects.
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According to ESPN, Cohn has hosted over 5,500 editions of SportsCenter, the most ever. Her 5,000th show was celebrated in 2016.
On social media, friends, colleagues, and fans reflected on her career and cemented her status as a legend, praising Cohn in a series of social media posts. Broadcaster Roxy Bernstein wrote on X: “Congrats to a legend! One of the highlights of my career working with Linda Cohn for [the] NHL on ESPN. When talking to players after morning skate and seeing their reaction to Linda walking in the room and their excitement about talking with her said it all. Amazing run!”
Analyst Dick Vitaleposted, “Linda Cohn was such a multi-talented @espn on-air personality. She was also an all-around terrific person who treated everyone with kindness.” Meanwhile, sports commentator Adam Schein wrote, “Linda is an absolute legend and rockstar.” Reporter Jane Slater summed up many people’s feelings by posting, “One of the kindest in the business, too! Enjoy it, Linda Cohn. You helped so many of us simply by being you.”
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