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Top 10 SportsCenter Anchors of All Time

By @Alex_Drude

Top 10 SportsCenter Anchors of All Time

Chris Berman, Stuart Scott and Keith Olbermann
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The very first SportsCenter was the very first thing to air on ESPN in 1979. Since then, hundreds of men and women have delivered nightly sports news from Bristol, CT, some very good, some not so good. All 10 anchors on this list spent significant time on the SC desk, helping create and define the show we watch regularly. Without them we would view sports news a whole lot differently. This… Is... the SportsCenter Top Ten. Da da da, da da da!

10. Steve Levy

ESPN reporters Steve Levy (left) and Barry Melrose on air after game three of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. The Kings won 4-0.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

10. Steve Levy

ESPN reporters Steve Levy (left) and Barry Melrose on air after game three of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. The Kings won 4-0.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Every successful SportsCenter anchor has put their own stamp on the show. As soon as you see him, you know what a Levy show will be. A lighter touch on heavy subjects, the award-winning (well, it should be) Levy Lounge, and multiple appearances by Barry Melrose (shown with Levy) whenever possible. Levy adapts to the era and keeps doing things his way at the same time.

9. Charley Steiner

The National Radio Hall Of Fame And Larry King Host A Private Lunch Honoring Charley Steiner
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9. Charley Steiner

The National Radio Hall Of Fame And Larry King Host A Private Lunch Honoring Charley Steiner
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I never knew what would happen when Charley Steiner hosted, but I knew he would make me laugh. Steiner had such a good time on the show, the attitude was contagious. Search “Charley Steiner Carl Lewis” or “SportsCenter Y2k” for two of his best moments. Now part of the LA Dodgers broadcasting team, Steiner still appears to be enjoying the ride as far as it will take him. Apparently it takes him to events with Larry King.

8. Neil Everett

ESPN's Neil Everett arrives at the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' 'John Carter' at the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14 on February 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California
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8. Neil Everett

ESPN's Neil Everett arrives at the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' 'John Carter' at the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14 on February 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, California
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The newest hire on this list, Neil Everett joined ESPN in 2000 and feels like the last of a breed. He never feels like he’s forcing jokes or pop culture references. It’s probably due to spending close to two decades in Hawaii in and out of broadcasting, as well as his upbringing in the Pacific Northwest. Take the Oregon alum’s recommendation and hit up Rennie’s or Taylor’s the next time you’re in Eugene.

7. Kenny Mayne

Kenny Mayne handles the microphone just prior to the start of the Top Flite Long Drive Contest for Charity at the Andreychuks Grille on January 30, 2009 in Tampa, Florida.
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7. Kenny Mayne

Kenny Mayne handles the microphone just prior to the start of the Top Flite Long Drive Contest for Charity at the Andreychuks Grille on January 30, 2009 in Tampa, Florida.
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At a time when SportsCenter was starting to get a little over the top, Kenny Mayne stepped in and reminded everyone how dry humor will always have a place. A former UNLV QB who at one point was ahead of Randall Cunningham on the Rebels' depth chart, Mayne has never taken being a former athlete seriously. Fortunately for all of us, he is a constant breath of fresh air.

6. Linda Cohn

ESPN anchor Linda Cohn speaks on stage at the Paley Prize Gala honoring ESPN's 35th anniversary presented by Roc Nation Sports on May 28, 2014 in New York City
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6. Linda Cohn

ESPN anchor Linda Cohn speaks on stage at the Paley Prize Gala honoring ESPN's 35th anniversary presented by Roc Nation Sports on May 28, 2014 in New York City
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Although there were other female SC anchors before her, Linda Cohn gets overlooked for being the first one to really break into the boys club. Like any pioneer, she and the other females at ESPN dealt with nasty situations intended to break their spirit, which is detailed in the book 'These Guys Have All the Fun.' I don’t know that Cohn thinks of herself as a pioneer, rather just another NY Rangers fan who gets paid to talk sports.

5. Stuart Scott

ESPN Monday Night Countdown broadcaster Stuart Scott at the NFL game between the Houston Texans and New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

5. Stuart Scott

ESPN Monday Night Countdown broadcaster Stuart Scott at the NFL game between the Houston Texans and New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

There were other black SC anchors before Stuart Scott, but he made the biggest impact. The Ivy-League SportsCenter club needed a jolt to keep it relevant, as viewing choices multiplied in the mid-90’s and Scott was a big part of making that happen. He is a polarizing figure, but all will admit he’s one of the best to ever be in Bristol.

4. Bob Ley

ESPN announcer Bob Ley prior to the game between USA and Mexico during a friendly match at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game ended in a 2-2 tie
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

4. Bob Ley

Apr 2, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; ESPN announcer Bob Ley prior to the game between USA and Mexico during a friendly match at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bob Ley is one of two original ESPN on-air employees who are still with the network, and is the perfect straight man when paired with No. 7 Charley Steiner on the desk for a decade. Ley always takes sports seriously and is constantly able to show why we should take it seriously as well. Outside the Lines became ESPN’s equivalent of Meet the Press because of Ley. He's not afraid to have a good time, and he's a rock and an A-1 talent for decades.

3. Dan Patrick

Sportscaster Dan Patrick speaks onstage the 2012 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award presentation at Espace on December 5, 2012 in New York City.
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3. Dan Patrick

Sportscaster Dan Patrick speaks onstage the 2012 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award presentation at Espace on December 5, 2012 in New York City.
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A bit lighter than Ley but serious at the same time, Dan Patrick was an SC workhorse before he got too interested in talking on the radio. SportsCenter became a big deal whenever Patrick was on; he was the Walter Cronkite of ESPN. Is that too old a reference? How about ESPN’s Tom Brokaw? Peter Jennings? Uh, does anyone here watch non-cable TV? How about this: Patrick on SC was what Ron Burgundy thought he was.

2. Chris Berman

ESPN analyst Chris Berman during the Home Run Derby in advance of the 2013 All Star Game at Citi Field.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2. Chris Berman

ESPN analyst Chris Berman during the Home Run Derby in advance of the 2013 All Star Game at Citi Field.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The other original ESPN employee. In the network's fledgling early days, Boomer hosted the last show before infomercials kicked in, the late-night SportsCenter, which only scheduled to go an hour. When Boomer and the producers took advantage of the opportunity to keep going until there were no more stories to run, the late night SC gained a cult following and helped the franchise start to become the behemoth it is today.

1. Keith Olbermann

TV Personality Keith Olbermann speaks onstage during the Olbermann panel at the ESPN portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 24, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California
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1. Keith Olbermann

TV Personality Keith Olbermann speaks onstage during the Olbermann panel at the ESPN portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 24, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California
Getty Images

The direct sportscasting descendant of Howard Cosell for daring, originality and humor. Every sports anchor/reporter on the air anywhere today is in some way copying what was so remarkable about his first SC run. You never knew what would come out of Keith Olbermann’s mouth on the air, but it would entertain and make you think at the same time. Hate his politics all you like, SC is a dominating force because Olbermann made it must-see TV.

Alex Drude is a Pac-12 writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Alex_Drude. “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.

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