We learned in June that sports business reporter Darren Rovell was departing CNBC for ESPN. That move has now been made official with a press release and subsequent ESPN PR podcast.
Over the last few years, Darren has made a name for himself on Twitter and his numerous feuds with various reporters and Playboy models.
Darren will report on sports business for ESPN where he began his professional career in 2000. He’ll also be seen on ABC News.
In 2006, Rovell joined CNBC and got his own show, CNBC SportsBiz: Game On! in 2011.
He’ll officially join ESPN on August 6, although he made his first SportsCenter appearance last month via the phone.
Here’s the press release.
Darren Rovell Returns to ESPN
Will Report on Sports Business Across All ESPN Platforms and ABC News
Rovell discusses his return to ESPN on ESPNFrontRow.com’s Front & Center podcastSports business reporter Darren Rovell will return to ESPN, effective August 6, in a multi-platform role — television, digital and ESPN Radio — and will also contribute to ABC News.
Rovell served as sports business writer for ESPN.com from 2000-06, and reported for ESPN’s flagship, SportsCenter; its investigative show, Outside the Lines; and had weekly segments on ESPNEWS.
Since 2006, Rovell has been CNBC’s sports business reporter. He most recently hosted CNBC SportsBiz: Game On, a sports business show on the NBC Sports Network.
“While ESPN is known for games and highlights, it is also about helping fans win the battles at the office water cooler or at the kitchen table,” Rovell said. “You can’t be a great fan without understanding the intricacies of the sports business. I look forward to bringing viewers, readers and listeners the stories of what happens off the field and behind closed doors that fuels this massive industry.”
John Wildhack, ESPN Executive Vice President, Production, said, “We’re pleased to welcome a respected sports business reporter like Darren back into the ESPN family. His particular expertise will strengthen our news gathering division, and provide fans the type of information they are accustomed to receiving from our varied platforms.”
Upon returning to ESPN, Rovell’s reports — including news and analysis of player contracts, endorsements, merchandise sales and memorabilia, among other sports business topics — will be seen, heard and read across ESPN platforms. He will frequently be found on Twitter — @darrenrovell — being named No. 1 on Athlon Sports’ top 100 Twitter Accounts Every Sports Fan Should Follow in November 2011, and among Mashable’s Ten Must-Follow Accounts for Sports Fans in January 2012. He will be based in New York, but frequently report from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. headquarters.
In addition to his role at ESPN, Rovell will provide his unique take on some of the most interesting business stories for ABC News. He will contribute to various ABC News broadcasts and platforms including Good Morning America, World News with Diane Sawyer and Nightline.
Rovell graduated Cum Laude from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He is the author of First In Thirst: How Gatorade Turned The Science of Sweat Into A Cultural Phenomenon, and On the Ball: What You Can Learn About Business From America’s Sports Leaders, co-written with David Carter.
So it’s now official. Darren Rovell is with ESPN and we’ll hear from him very soon.
