Michelle Beadle: Anchor's Crossover Appeal Too Good to Pass Up For NBC

Michelle Beadle has outgrown ESPN.

As first reported by Sports by Brooks, it looks as if Beadle will be departing ESPN for a broader role with NBC Universal:

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SbB has learned Michelle Beadle will depart ESPN for NBC Sports with the plan for her to land eventually at Access Hollywood as co-host.

— SPORTSbyBROOKS (@SPORTSbyBROOKS) May 10, 2012"

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Before Beadle transitions to NBCUniversal-distributed Access Hollywood, she'll cover Olympics, appear on Today Show, among other duties.

— SPORTSbyBROOKS (@SPORTSbyBROOKS) May 10, 2012"

This makes all the sense in the world.

Beadle is certainly a “sports chick,” and has been received incredibly well by the coveted 18-34 male demographic. It’s now time to widen her audience. With her outgoing personality and quick-witted humor, she is going to be a natural when conducting interviews with celebrities.

Beadle entered the “Worldwide Leader” with experience as a reporter for the YES Network and a contributor for the MLB and NFL in-house production companies. However, she was certainly not a well-known sports personality. She even had experience as a reporter for the Professional Bull Riders’ tour.

But that’s not all she did before joining ESPN in June 2009.

She had also worked with Fine Living Network, Animal Planet, Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel. All of them were on a part-time basis, but her interests and goals obviously reached beyond just the realm of sports.

Beadle finally got a full-time gig hosting on ESPN’s SportsNation, and an entire demographic fell in love.

She quickly became the lovable, good-looking protagonist to counter the annoying and arrogant Colin Cowherd. It was a perfect blend, and it catapulted Beadle onto the nation level.

She was given the opportunity to host the Michelle Beadle Podcast, where the first topic would always be about sports. However, the direction of the show would quickly head in the direction of music, movies, food and whatever else was on her mind. Her engaging personality became evident and her personal brand was growing by the day.

Plain and simple, she outgrew ESPN.

Beadle will now have the opportunity to get back to being a reporter with the Olympics in front of millions of people that may or may not be sports fans.  

This will be the perfect transition to Hollywood, where she’ll be the perfect candidate to interview Tim Tebow about girlfriend rumors.

The transition is a no-brainer for Beadle, who will finally be able to sound off on her interests outside of sports without a crotchety old man by her side bashing her. This is a smart move, but a sad day for sports fans.

We shall miss you, Michelle

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