Charissa Thompson: New SportsNation Host Right Choice to Succeed Michelle Beadle

Let's face it, nobody will ever replace Michelle Beadle, the face of ESPN's SportsNation.

But ESPN made the right choice selecting Charissa Thompson to take over for Beadle. 

Thompson, who had been hosting Numbers Never Lie, was a fill-in on SportsNation when Beadle was with the show. Now, with Beadle heading over to NBC for roles on the London Summer Olympics and Access Hollywood, it is Thompson's time to shine.

And while Thompson has already acknowledged she can't be Michelle Beadle, she does figure to be a solid successor on the popular show. 

Before Numbers Never Lie, Thompson used to be a sideline reporter for Fox and the NFL Network. She also did good work with the Big Ten Network.

The 30-year-old has the outgoing personality, and the dry sense of humor, to fit right in on SportsNation, where Beadle made a living giving fellow host Colin Cowherd a hard time.

Thompson said, via ESPN:

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"I won't treat Colin any differently. I have a sarcastic sense of humor, so I'm sure people will think I am being mean to him but, in fact, it’s the opposite!"

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With respect to Cowherd, Beadle was the star that put SportsNation squarely on the map. But that doesn't mean Cowherd and Thompson can't head a strong show. Both have the experience and personalities to make it a successful transition.

The question isn't whether the show will continue to be popular. The question is, will Cowherd be able to hold his own against Thompson?