Neil Everett, Iconic ’SportsCenter’ Anchor, Leaving ESPN After 23 Years

Neil Everett is leaving ESPN after more than two decades at the network, according to Front Office Sports.

The SportsCenter anchor, who has been at ESPN for 23 years, told FOS that it was time for him to have more of a direct impact on his life.

“ESPN changed my life, but now it is time for me to change my life,” the 61-year-old said. “Time to write a new chapter.”

Everett first joined ESPN in 2000 as an anchor for ESPNews. Then, in March 2009, he moved to Los Angeles to become an anchor on the L.A. edition of the network’s flagship show.

Prior to joining ESPN, Everett worked several places. After graduating from Oregon in 1984, Everett started his broadcasting career in radio at KCST-FM in Florence, Ore.

After a departure from broadcasting, Everett spent 15 years as an athletic administrator at Hawaii Pacific University. While working at HPU, he started working at KITV-TV in Honolulu, where he served in multiple roles before ultimately becoming a sports anchor.

Everett’s departure is part of ESPN’s recent call to downsize at the network. Bob Iger, Disney chief executive, plans to cut 7,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in costs across the company, according to FOS.

ESPN has yet to comment on Everett’s departure.