ESPN's Jemele Hill is "leaving the 6:00pm 'SC6' edition of 'SportsCenter' to join the staff of The Undefeated," a move that Hill is believed to have "asked for," according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. Hill and Michael Smith last February began anchoring the relaunched version of the 6:00pm "SportsCenter," but Hill this fall "became a subject of national conversation following a string of tweets in response to comments about President Donald Trump" (SI.com, 1/26). The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Marisa Guthrie cites sources as saying that Hill's last day on "SC6" will be Feb. 2. Smith will "host the program on his own, as he did when Hill was suspended last October for her NFL tweets." Hill, who is one year into a four-year deal, will "host town halls" in addition to writing for The Undefeated. Hill also recently "started a production company" with The Undefeated's Kelley Carter (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/26). NESN.com's Mike Cole noted the rebranding of the 6:00pm "SportsCenter" was "billed as an innovative tweak to the network's flagship station, but ratings haven't been strong." The program "long has been a focal point of the network, but given the current media and TV climate, it's hard to see the show reclaiming its glory days anytime soon" (NESN.com, 1/26).
