It's last call for Neil Everett at ESPN.
The longtime "SportsCenter" anchor is leaving the company, he confirmed in a Thursday statement to Front Office Sports. He originally joined the worldwide leader in 2000 after a 15-year broadcasting stint in Hawaii and, since 2009, co-hosted the late edition of the show alongside Stan Verrett.
Everett, 61, endeared viewers with his humorous commentary and catchphrases — including home run call "Bartender, Jack."
"Bartender … last call," Everett told FOS 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's exit from ESPN comes amid spending cuts and layoffs by parent company Disney. It is part of CEO Robert Iger's plans to cut 7,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in spending globally (even as the company recently added Pat McAfee to its roster on a lucrative deal).
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Here's everything you need to know about Everett's exit from ESPN and what's next for the longtime late-night fixture:
Why is Neil Everett leaving ESPN?
FOS reported one of two potential reasons for Everett's exit from ESPN, each coming from people close to the situation.
One source told FOS that Everett turned down a new contract that offered him a reduced salary from the one he signed in July 2021. The person said it was similar to the one Kenny Mayne rejected before leaving the company the same year. Mayne said at the time he left as a "salary cap casualty," adding that he was offered a 61 percent pay cut.
Another person told FOS that Everett's contract simply wasn't renewed.
Regardless, Everett's exit from ESPN reportedly will not affect the positions held by Verrett and Ashley Brewer on "SportsCenter." The former tweeted a goodbye on Thursday to his longtime partner:
I started at espn in 2000, a few months after Neil Everett. We joined up for sportscenter from LA in 2009. For 14 years, he was the best teammate I could imagine. Selfless, caring, generous, and a pro’s pro. He’s moving on now, but we are brothers for life. That’ll never change.
— stan verrett (@stanverrett) June 8, 2023
Everett's last broadcast was on Friday. "SportsCenter" gave one final goodbye to the longtime anchor, who naturally wore a lei as he signed off for the final time:
ESPN honors Neil Everett before he signs off from SportsCenter for the final time. pic.twitter.com/q42p8EcqJc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 24, 2023
"Love is a long road. I'll see you down it."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 24, 2023
Neil Everett bids farewell to SportsCenter one last time with longtime partner Stan Verrett pic.twitter.com/BKghg6Vpbl
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Will Neil Everett still work with Trail Blazers?
Everett, a native of Portland, Ore., and graduate of the University of Oregon, reportedly will look to increase his role with the Trail Blazers, per FOS. He has worked both pregame and postgame shows for Portland over the last two years and has also hosted alternate broadcasts for games this season.
FOS reported that Everett also has several "side projects" in the works — just not with ESPN.