As first reported by Awful Announcing, Linda Cohn will be retiring from ESPN at the end of June.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the literal end of an era, as Cohn is ESPN\u2019s longest-tenured\u00a0SportsCenter anchor, having been behind the desk since July 1992.<\/p>\n
Cohn and ESPN were unable to\u00a0agree on a suitable role for her moving forward after her contract expires at the end of the month, as reported by Awful Announcing\u2019s Ben Koo<\/a>. She will make her final SportsCenter appearances on Friday, June 26.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I look back, I have amazing memories of the shows I hosted,\u00a0 the games I reported on, the athletes I met and the outstanding colleagues I got to work with,\u201d said Cohn, in an ESPN release<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ve always said I was a fan first and I\u2019ve always tried to keep that top of mind when I was doing SportsCenter\u00a0or anything else.<\/p>\n \u201cBut what I\u2019m 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,\u201d she said. \u201cIf my journey helped make that path a little easier for them, then that\u2019s the achievement I\u2019ll cherish most.\u201d<\/p>\n Cohn shared many stories about her time at SportsCenter\u00a0and ESPN on Rich Eisen\u2019s\u00a0This Was SportsCenter<\/a>\u00a0podcast last week, including\u00a0the infamous Ken Griffey Jr. interview<\/a>\u00a0that became an early internet sensation and\u00a0the \u201cmaster batter\u201d catchphrase that ESPN executive Norby Williamson shut down<\/a> after one airing.<\/p>\n \u201cLinda Cohn is a legend and a major part of the history of ESPN,\u201d ESPN content president Burke Magnus said in a release. \u201cShe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n He wasn\u2019t the only sports media figure to pay respects to Cohn for her storied ESPN career; tributes poured in across social media as the news spread, with many celebrating her impact as a trailblazer in the field.<\/p>\n An absolute legend. \u2014 Kevin Connors (@kevconnorsespn) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n A true icon \ud83e\udee1 https:\/\/t.co\/yMgMNQQssF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Congratulations to the \ud83d\udc10 @lindacohn<\/a> !!<\/p>\n Linda paved the way for so many women in this industry by being her authentic self. She also helped carry the torch for hockey on ESPN in between rights deals. Absolute legend. https:\/\/t.co\/jMFrO97oJJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n I loved watching Linda Cohn on SportsCenter as a kid. It was the first time I had ever seen a woman anchor a sports show. I looked up to her. I admired her. I wanted to be her. What an icon. \ud83e\ude77 https:\/\/t.co\/rzl47FpwP0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gina Muscato (@GinaMuscato) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The end of an era for one of the greatest to ever do it. Thanks for paving the way, @lindacohn<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/fszajX4lg0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Madelyn Burke (@MadelynBurke) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Linda Cohn was such a multi talented @espn<\/a> on air personality \u2013 she was also an all around terrific person \u2013 treated all ppl in a very kind way .<\/p>\n \u2014 Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n A true legend of the industry. Congrats on an incredible career @lindacohn<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/MgaHdsiIwO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n One of my favorites to work with from my decade at espn & Sportscenter is leaving the network to enjoy the next phase of her life .. \u2014 Chris Myers (@The_ChrisMyers) June 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n One of the kindest in the business too! Enjoy @lindacohn<\/a> you helped so many of us by just being you https:\/\/t.co\/yfMbxytyaD<\/a><\/p>\n
Linda is the best of ESPN. A die-hard fan, respected journalist and a wonderful friend.
It was always an honor to share the desk with you, @lindacohn<\/a>!
Your mark on TV is indelible. \u2764\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/jC7jfZnzeC<\/a><\/p>\n
Wishing Linda Cohn the best\u2026one of the truly good people in our business!#espn<\/a> #sportscenter<\/a><\/p>\n