ESPN’s Elle Duncan Calls Out Colleague Kirk Herbstreit After He Questions Her ‘Credibility’

He’s not wrong.

When it comes to broadcasters being open about their fandom while on the air, ESPN legend Kirk Herbstreit isn’t a fan, in particular when it comes to four-letter network anchor Elle Duncan.

“If you are a personality, like a Bill Simmons, or a Stephen A., or a Pat McAfee … part of their schtick is kind of that,” said Herbstreit while speaking on the “Next Man Up” podcast. (RELATED: ‘Have Some Respect!’: ESPN Blasted For Terrible Reporting On Death Of Bobby Jenks)

“But you watch SportsCenter and Elle Duncan is sitting there cheering for Georgia. She’s openly cheering. I’m not a fan of that personally. I think it hurts your credibility. When that team is playing other teams, fans are looking at you like … That’s different.”

It didn’t take long for Duncan to issue a response, doing so on social media in sarcastic fashion.

“Didn’t have this on my bingo card for today but my fandom doesn’t impact in any way what or how we talk about teams on air. Ever. I…JUST..BARK?? Also **whispers** I’m not the only one. So why I get singled out?” wrote Duncan.

Didn’t have this on my bingo card for today but my fandom doesn’t impact in any way what or how we talk about teams on air. Ever. I…JUST..BARK?? Also **whispers** I’m not the only one. So why I get singled out?

— Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) July 4, 2025

As far as I’m concerned, the only people in sports media who are allowed to be open fans are sports-blogging types like myself, because let’s be honest here, nobody really gives a crap about what we have to say. We’re just here to deliver the content that you can just quickly scroll to.

You can’t do that when you’re watching “SportsCenter,” so yeah, Kirk isn’t wrong at all.