After a celebrated tenure spanning nearly a decade at the formidable sports broadcasting titan, ESPN, esteemed anchor Elle Duncan has embarked on a groundbreaking new chapter, joining Netflix as the streamer’s inaugural sports anchor. Her departure last month marks a pivotal moment, not only for Duncan’s illustrious career but also for Netflix’s ambitious and rapidly expanding foray into live sports programming.
Duncan’s first high-profile assignment for the streaming giant is set to captivate audiences this Friday with “Skyscraper Live.” This unprecedented event will witness renowned free-solo climber Alex Honnold — a name synonymous with audacious feats, famously chronicled in the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo” — attempt to scale Taipei 101. Soaring to an imposing height of 1,667 feet, Taiwan’s tallest building presents an extreme challenge, which Honnold will tackle without the aid of ropes or any safety equipment. Duncan, at the helm of a diverse commentary team, articulated the delicate balance inherent in her role, stating, “trying to entertain people at the same time that we’re watching someone do something that could kill him.” This candid acknowledgment underscores the high stakes and unique nature of Netflix’s new live content.
The decision to leave a network as established and globally recognized as ESPN, where she had cultivated a significant presence, was not made lightly. Duncan openly shared her motivations, explaining that she had, in essence, reached the zenith of her potential within the network’s existing structure. ESPN, known for its extensive and deeply talented roster of on-air personalities, presented limited avenues for the kind of expansive growth and diversified opportunities Duncan sought. Netflix, conversely, extended an irresistibly compelling offer for a role designed to allow her to transcend the traditional boundaries of sports broadcasting. She describes this new venture as “sports plus,” signaling a creative horizon far broader than her previous engagements.
Duncan’s professional philosophy has always centered on being a “utility player,” someone capable of excelling across various roles and formats, consistently pushing the limits of her versatility. Speaking to *Variety*, she elaborated on this drive: “You know, I did really incredible, remarkable things at ESPN that obviously were pegged to sports. But I’ve always been, and prided myself on being, a utility player and really trying to push and test my versatility.” Netflix’s proposition resonated deeply with this ethos, providing an unparalleled chance to remain deeply embedded in the world of sports she cherishes, while simultaneously venturing into adjacent, innovative territories. “So Netflix gave me an opportunity to stay in sports, which I love and am passionate about, to do it at a major scale with major events, and then to also dabble into things like [‘Skyscraper Live’], which is sort of sports-adjacent,” she affirmed.
The vision for her future at Netflix is one of boundless possibility. Duncan confidently declared, “I would say that the sky is the limit.” This expansive outlook suggests a landscape where her responsibilities could fluidly transition from anchoring a high-stakes Major League Baseball opening day broadcast to potentially being considered for a reality television project. This blend of traditional sports commentary with entertainment-focused content perfectly encapsulates the “sports plus” model Netflix is pioneering, offering its talent a unique platform for cross-genre engagement.
Matt Olson, Duncan’s agent, provided an external perspective that sheds further light on the strategic advantages of her move. He recently informed Sports Business Journal that Netflix, unlike ESPN, presented the distinct opportunity for Duncan “to be the number one [sports talent] there.” When playfully confronted with the notion that this might imply becoming a “big fish in a small pond,” Duncan responded with a laugh, clarifying her perspective.
“I definitely don’t look at it that way,” she asserted, dismissing any implication of ego being the driving force behind her decision. For Duncan, it wasn’t about seeking autonomy for autonomy’s sake or fulfilling a need for an “ego boost.” Instead, her decision was rooted in a thoughtful and forward-looking assessment of her career trajectory. As she considered the prospects of a potential four-year deal with ESPN, she questioned, “OK, where are additional opportunities to continue to grow and expand? How do I get to keep sort of women’s basketball, which I love so much [and] continue [with] football, my favorite sport. Like how do I continue to grow into those spaces?”
Duncan candidly acknowledged ESPN’s robust talent pool, recognizing that the network was already exceptionally well-represented across all these sports verticals by “really incredible talent.” She emphasized that it was “not my style at all to politic or to go into offices and try to convince management to make changes simply because I would like to take on additional roles. And they’re good there. They are not lacking talent at ESPN.” This pragmatic view underscored a fundamental realization: for her to achieve the kind of diversified growth she craved, a change of environment was necessary. Reflecting on her internal deliberation, she concluded, “So I think when we sort of outlook to the future, it was like, if I was doing the exact same thing I’m doing right now for the next four years, would that be fulfilling? And I think ultimately we landed on ‘No.’”
Ultimately, Duncan’s move was a deliberate choice to actively pursue new challenges and expand her professional horizons. “You know, I wanted to try and push myself and do even more things. And where was the best opportunity to do that? And it was Netflix,” she explained, highlighting the streaming platform as the ideal launchpad for her ambitious vision.
The strategic groundwork for Duncan’s recruitment had been subtly laid months prior. Last fall, Netflix made a significant hire in Kate Jackson, a former producer who had worked alongside Duncan at ESPN, bringing her on board as Director of Live Sports. Duncan humorously recalled Jackson’s parting jest: “She sort of joked when she left, like, ‘I’m going to come for you.’” This lighthearted remark proved prophetic, as Netflix, during Duncan’s negotiating window a few months later, presented a “really, really strong offer.” The appeal of the Netflix deal was multifaceted, keenly understanding that a primary draw for Duncan would be the promise of opportunities extending beyond conventional sports coverage, coupled with the highly coveted flexibility of schedule.
While Netflix will undoubtedly be her professional centerpiece — “my main course,” as Duncan put it, granting them “first right of refusal” — the company has also demonstrated an admirable understanding and support for her enduring passions. They recognize her deep love for women’s sports, a category that, while rapidly gaining prominence, has not yet been a significant part of Netflix’s direct portfolio until recently. This mutual understanding means that while Netflix remains her core commitment, they are “bullish on the fact that they want me to take opportunities and projects that I’m passionate about, so long as they don’t interfere with my responsibilities for them.” This progressive approach to talent management allows Duncan to maintain her advocacy and involvement in areas she cares deeply about, even outside her immediate contractual obligations.
Netflix’s pivot towards live sports marks a dramatic shift in its corporate strategy. For years, the streaming giant routinely dismissed any interest in acquiring sports rights, adhering strictly to its on-demand entertainment model. However, the intensifying streaming wars and the undeniable power of live content to attract and retain subscribers have prompted a significant reevaluation. The company has now secured landmark deals that signal its serious commitment to this new frontier. These include an agreement with the NFL to air two Christmas Day games in both 2024 and 2025, a partnership with Major League Baseball for an opening night game this season and additional events, and a lucrative deal for WWE’s flagship program, “Raw.” Furthermore, Netflix has secured exclusive U.S. streaming rights for the highly anticipated 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups, a move that aligns perfectly with Duncan’s stated passion for women’s athletics and solidifies her role as a key figure in this new ecosystem.
The confluence of these major sports acquisitions and Duncan’s hire is no coincidence. “Because they have such a huge commitment to sports for the future, they really wanted to have someone that would be sort of a central figure that no matter what the sports event was,” Duncan explained. This positions her as a versatile and recognizable face, capable of anchoring a diverse range of live events and becoming synonymous with Netflix’s emerging sports brand.
For “Skyscraper Live,” Duncan journeyed to Taipei the preceding Saturday, immersing herself in the local environment and preparing for the monumental broadcast. She will be joined in the commentary booth by an eclectic and expert team: professional rock climber Emily Harrington, the highly popular YouTube creator Mark Rober (whose science and engineering show “CrunchLabs” is also available on Netflix), WWE superstar Seth Rollins, and seasoned climbing commentator Pete Woods. The live streaming event is scheduled to commence on Friday, January 23, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, which corresponds to 9 a.m. Taiwan time, ensuring a global audience can tune in.
In a charming anecdote highlighting the broad appeal of her new colleagues, Duncan recounted the reaction of her two children, ages 5 and 7, upon learning she would be working with Mark Rober. Despite having introduced her kids to numerous famous personalities throughout her career, the mention of Rober left them utterly awestruck. “They were shook,” Duncan recalled, describing their disbelief: “Like, they could not believe I was going to do TV with *the* Mark Rober.” This moment playfully illustrates the unique blend of sports, science, and entertainment that Netflix is cultivating.
It is abundantly clear that “Skyscraper Live” transcends the definition of a typical sporting event. The inherent danger and profound stakes distinguish it dramatically. “This is like pass or fail, life or death, right?” Duncan underscored. She elaborated on the core objective of the broadcast, which extends far beyond mere athletic reporting: “This particular event is much more about the storytelling… This is really about contextualizing the kind of person that would do something so seemingly crazy and death-defying. Like trying to humanize Alex as a person, and trying to sort of explain the art of climbing to an audience that isn’t necessarily going to understand that.” The emphasis, therefore, is on crafting a compelling narrative, demystifying the extreme world of free soloing, and connecting viewers to Honnold’s extraordinary mindset.
To deepen this narrative, Duncan undertook a visit to Alex Honnold’s home in Red Rock, Nevada, in December. Conversations from this visit will be thoughtfully woven into the “Skyscraper Live” broadcast, offering viewers intimate insights into the climber’s preparation and philosophy. In a demonstration of her commitment to immersive storytelling, Duncan’s producers even convinced her to personally experience one of the “particularly interesting” sections of the Taipei 101 climb. She assured, “They’re going to have me go out there — strapped up, obviously, not free soloing!” adding with a touch of humor, “It should go well. Which to me is just surviving.” This willingness to engage directly with the subject matter underscores her dedication to authentic reporting.
Given the extreme nature of Honnold’s climb, the production team has meticulously prepared for every conceivable scenario. While not elaborating on the specifics, Duncan confirmed the existence of “contingency plans for everything,” addressing potential outcomes ranging from Honnold slipping and falling to external factors like inclement weather or even an earthquake. This comprehensive preparedness highlights the gravity of broadcasting such a high-risk endeavor.
In her relatively brief time at Netflix, Duncan has already observed and embraced a distinctive organizational culture marked by an eagerness to innovate and experiment. As a newcomer to the live sports arena, Netflix isn’t constrained by established playbooks or traditional broadcasting norms. This fresh perspective allows for bold experimentation. Duncan described Netflix’s operational ethos as “a culture of transparency, talking through things, making decisions quickly, failing fast, taking big swings, learning and moving on.” This agile and forward-thinking approach is a stark contrast to the often more rigid structures found in legacy media institutions. Notably, despite the geographical flexibility afforded by her new role, Duncan has chosen to remain in West Hartford, Connecticut, a decision that speaks to her personal stability amidst professional upheaval.
Elle Duncan’s journey at ESPN began in 2016, where she quickly established herself as a prominent voice. Her roles included hosting the 6 p.m. ET edition of “SportsCenter,” one of the network’s flagship news programs, and leading comprehensive coverage across women’s college and professional basketball. She was a familiar face on “College GameDay” and a key host for “WNBA Countdown,” demonstrating her versatility and deep knowledge of a wide range of sports. Her nearly ten years at ESPN solidified her reputation as a respected and beloved figure in sports media.
The decision to leave a place where she had built such a significant career and forged strong relationships was, as Duncan conceded, emotionally challenging. “Every place that I have left in my career, I’ve been sad to go because of the people,” she reflected. However, her departure was accompanied by a profound sense of peace, stemming from a rigorous and thoughtful decision-making process. “But I was very much at peace with the decision. You know, I really did not take the decision lightly. I waited. I looked at every possible scenario. I prayed on it. I talked about it. I talked to my therapist about it. So when I had to say goodbye, I felt really, really good about the decision itself.” Her meticulous approach underscores her commitment to personal and professional fulfillment, ensuring that this significant career move was not just a change of scenery, but a deliberate step towards a future brimming with new challenges and opportunities.
