ESPN is planning to stay up late.
The network is developing a late night talk show to air on its sister channel, ESPN 2.
The show, according to officials, would be more of a cross between talk radio and “SportsCenter” than “The Tonight Show.”
“It would be tomorrow’s sports talk – tonight,” a spokesman said, declining to provide further information citing the network’s policy of not discussing shows in development.
ESPN sources note that the show is still in its earliest stages – although executives did tease the show to potential advertisers last May during the network’s “Upfront” presentation.
The understanding is that the new show would include three recognizable ESPN personalities offering their opinions on the day’s sports news.
ESPN 2’s late night slate is currently something of a TV wasteland, with shows ranging from coverage of streetball to a NASCAR wrap-up show.
A daily show, dealing with current topics – that is not “SportsCenter” – has long been on ESPN’s wish-list for the spinoff channel.
Three ESPN personalities, radio host Colin Cowherd, Jason Whitlock and Dan LeBatard, have all reportedly turned down the job, according to the sports blog, The Big Lead.