“Bartender… last call.” That is the statement longtime SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett gave to Front Office Sports to announce he is leaving ESPN.
- Everett’s statement plays off of his popular “Bartender, Jack!” call for home runs on SportsCenter.
- Everett has been with ESPN for 23 years and his departure from the network is unclear.
- One source reportedly says Everett was offered a new deal at a reduced salary and turned it down, while an ESPN spokesman said Everett’s contract was simply not being renewed.
- It is unclear is Everett’s departure is part of Disney’s larger plan to eliminate 7,000 positions.
- In addition to his role on SportsCenter, Everett was a fixture in the popular “This is SportsCenter” commercials.
- Prior to ESPN, Everett worked for 15 years on local television in Hawaii before joining the network in July 2000.
- Everett has also spent time working pre- and post-game shows for the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers.
What they’re saying:
- Neil Everett (via First Row Sports): “Bartender…last call. ESPN changed my life, but now it’s time for me to change my life. Time to write a new chapter.”
- SportsCenter anchor Stan Verrett (on Twitter): “I started at ESPN in 2000, a few months after Neil Everett. We joined up for SportsCenter from LA in 2009. For 14 years, he was the best teammate I could imagine. Selfless, caring, generous, and a pro’s pro. He’s moving on now, but we are brothers for life. That’ll never change.”