Michelle Beadle today returns to ESPN after a nearly two-year absence and will co-host ESPN2's "SportsNation" alongside Max Kellerman and Marcellus Wiley. Beadle signed with NBCUniversal in May '12. Coinciding with her return, the show today will launch an Instagram account featuring memes and photoshops as well as original, behind-the-scenes videos of Beadle (ESPN). Sports media writer Ed Sherman writes to return to "SportsNation," where Beadle made her name at ESPN, seems like a "bit of been-there, done-that." Sherman: "I suspect a return to SportsNation is a way to get her back in the mix at ESPN. However, I think she is destined to do more in her second trip at ESPN." Her profile now is "much higher," and despite the "disaster at NBC and NBCSN, Beadle is a talented and highly-engaging sports TV personality." Sherman writes ESPN likely at some point will "come up with another vehicle for Beadle" (SHERMANREPORT.com, 3/3). AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Matt Yoder writes, "It'll be interesting to see if Beadle can recreate any magic" with Kellerman and Wiley "or what other opportunities might wait in her return to Bristol." Beadle "becomes the latest high profile ESPN personality to be welcomed back home after wandering through the broadcast wilderness" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 3/3).
TWITTER REAX: Beadle's return drew a number of comments on social media. ESPN Radio 970 Pittsburgh's Sean Gallagher tweeted, "Sportsnation's greatest shows will always be when Colin [Cowherd] and Beadle hosted. Chemistry was incredible." Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton: "Interesting that Michelle Beadle is returning to ESPN. Furthers my theory that these networks are wasting money by hiring 'big time' females." Blogger Keith Prime: "Beadle was great on ESPN. Great to have her back. NBC underutilizes another great talent. … I honestly think Beadle should have been Costas' understudy in Sochi. She's the perfect studio host for the social media age."
