Sportscaster Kenny Mayne leaving ESPN after 27-year stint
“SportsCenter” anchor Kenny Mayne and ESPN have agreed to part ways after 27 years.
“Salary cap casualty,” is how Mayne announced the decision via Twitter on Monday.
I am leaving ESPN.
Salary cap casualty.
Thanks for the opportunity Vince Doria & Al Jaffe & for taking my solicitations
Herman/Stinton/Lynch.I will miss the people.
I will miss the vending machine set up over by the old Van Pelt joint.
We had everything.IntoTheGreatWideOpen#
— Kenny Mayne (@Kenny_Mayne) May 10, 2021
Mayne, known for his dry humor and quirky wit, joined the network in 1994 and assumed a full-time role as an anchor on “SportsCenter” in 1997 and hosted the widely popular “The Mayne Event” segments on “NFL Sunday Countdown.”
ESPN did make Kenny Mayne an offer, according to a source. It was a pay cut.
This is a trend in many of its negotiations as it tries to "market corrects" what it views as exorbitant salaries.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) May 10, 2021
Mayne, 61, has appeared over the years in the ESPN’s horse-racing coverage and in series such as “Kenny Mayne’s Wider World of Sports” and game show “2 Minute Drill.”
The former UNLV quarterback signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 1982.
Kenny Mayne broke his ankle in a UNLV game against Oregon in 1980. It never fully recovered. When he tried out for the Seahawks, he failed his physical because of it.
His journalism career started in Seattle where his first job was monitoring the police scanner. pic.twitter.com/YCrU6roN0a
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 10, 2021
The accolades and well-wishes from former co-workers and friends were not hard to find online.
Kenny Mayne is just the best. That's the tweet.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 10, 2021
Kenny Mayne and Marshawn Lynch gave us one of the greatest videos in ESPN history. pic.twitter.com/bvb9BJr570
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) May 10, 2021
It was a thrill to sit with you for the first time on SportsCenter --- and then every single time thereafter. More than that, it was even better to get to know you and become a friend. We will miss you, Kenny.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 10, 2021
The best. I will miss this ?❤️ @Kenny_Mayne pic.twitter.com/EJU6cBfhAB
— Ashley Brewer (@ESPNAshley) May 10, 2021
Legendary human. Tv, where he's truly iconic, is a small part of why. I'm thankful we worked together, more grateful to call him my friend. #Pascal #NameACoach #GeorgeClinton #Michuda https://t.co/8iHRFiY1bU
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) May 10, 2021
Bret Gibson is a TribLive digital producer. A South Hills resident, he started working for the Trib in 1998. He can be reached at bgibson@triblive.com.
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