Cool will no longer be the rule on late-night “SportsCenter.”
Neil Everett is exiting ESPN after 23 years, the anchor confirmed to Front Office Sports.
“Bartender…last call,” Everett, 61, told the outlet in a statement.
“ESPN changed my life, but now it’s time for me to change my life. Time to write a new chapter.”
Everett was best known for having a wry sense of humor, and he was one of the last classic “SportsCenter” anchors who would slide in pop culture references and tag-lines into his highlight reads.
Everett began working alongside Stan Verrett on the 1:00 am ET edition of “SportsCenter” in ESPN’s Los Angeles studio in 2009, and the two were known for having rare chemistry.
“I couldn’t be happier to continue working on ‘SportsCenter’ here in Los Angeles,” Verrett said in a statement when the duo signed new deals in 2015.
“I have a dream job in a dream location. And I’m thrilled to continue working with Neil Everett every night. For the last six years, we’ve had a great time doing the show. And the opportunity to continue building on the relationship we’ve developed with viewers is fantastic.”
Over the last couple years, Everett had been working fewer dates, as the nightly “SportsCenter” shifted to a rotation that also included Ashley Brewer.
Everett became an anchor at ESPN in the summer of 2000.
Prior to that, he spent about 15 years as an anchor and sports director in Honolulu, including at CBS affiliate KGMB.
Before that, Everett was Hawaii Pacific University’s sports information director and assistant athletic director.
ESPN is in the midst of planning more cost cuts centered around talent, which The Post’s Andrew Marchand reported are expected to take place later this month.
NHL analyst Chris Chelios’ contract will not be renewed amid the cost cuts, and there are additionally expected to be talents under contract who are let go.