Cari Champion began her career at ESPN in 2012 as a host on the networks show “First Take,” alongside Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless. Since that moment, Champion had climbed the network ladder and became a host for “SportsCenter.”
However, on Thursday, the host abruptly announced her exit from the station.
Taking to her Twitter to reveal the big news, Champion wrote, “After consulting with mentors, family and friends, I have come to the decision that it’s time to leave ESPN. Over the past 7 years, I’ve grown from hosting First Take to having my own show on SportsCenter, and experiencing so much more in between.”
Back in 2016, Champion signed a multi-year extension deal with the network, according to the New York Post.
Champion was also a host on “Sports Nation.”
In a press release, ESPN gave it’s viewers an update on things moving forward due to Champion’s departure stating, “With Cari Champion’s pending departure, the noon ET SportsCenter will no longer be a bicoastal show and instead will originate completely from Bristol, Conn., with Elle Duncan and Matt Barrie helming the newly-expanded 90-minute Monday-Thursday episodes.”
At this time, there is no word on where Champion will end up next.
