Linda Cohn, an iconic anchor for “SportsCenter,” made the announcement Monday that she will be retiring from ESPN following 34 years.
June 30 will be Cohn’s final day with the four-letter network. Prior to her retirement, the company will celebrate her at its headquarters in Bristol, making appearances Friday on SportsCenter’s evening versions. Also, at the NHL Draft, Cohn will be connecting with John Buccigross, her longtime co-host.
The highest number ever, Cohn has been a host of “SportsCenter” in more than 5,500 editions. (RELATED: Giants Pitchers Who Wrote Bible Verses On Pride Night Hats Won’t Be Disciplined, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Says)
Her run began in 1992 in Bristol, and she ultimately moved to Los Angeles in 2018 where she hosted the “SportsCenter” at 1:00 a.m. After the program was relocated to Bristol in 2025, Cohn has been working on projects.
Throughout the years, Cohn was featured on studio shows centered around the NHL and did play-by-play coverage of the WNBA for ESPN. With hockey in particular, she played herself while she was in college, doing so as a goalie. Cohn also made appearances in several “This is SportsCenter” commercials.
“What I’m most proud of is that my career lasted long enough for me to see little girls grow up watching @SportsCenter, enter this business & succeed in it.”
After hosting 5,500+ editions of SC, legendary anchor @lindacohn is retiring from ESPN June 30
🔗https://t.co/mQlS2Eq07S pic.twitter.com/AaRNEQSTFE
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) June 22, 2026
In 2017, Cohn was placed in the National Sports Media Hall of Fame.
Speaking about her time in media, which started in 1981 with Patchogue, New York’s WALK-AM-FM as a news anchor, sports reporter and writer, Cohn said in an official statement:
“What I’m 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,” per ESPN.
Burke Magnus, the president of ESPN, also released a statement.
“Linda Cohn is a legend and a major part of the history of ESPN,” said Magnus, per ESPN. “She 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.”