ESPN is making a significant move to enhance its editorial team.
Roxanna Scott has been brought on board to fill a newly established role as the top editor overseeing ESPN's TV and digital newsgathering operations, which will include investigative reporting and enterprise journalism. According to sources familiar with the matter, her official title will be Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, and she will operate from the company headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, reporting directly to Dave Roberts.
With nearly two decades of experience as a sports editor at USA Today—three of which she served as executive editor and vice president—Scott brings a wealth of expertise to this position. Most recently, she held the role of managing editor for the daily desk at The Athletic.
An ESPN representative chose not to provide any comments on this development, and attempts to contact Scott were unsuccessful.
This year, ESPN has seen considerable changes within its digital editorial staff. Executive Editor Cristina Daglas was placed on administrative leave following human resources complaints and eventually departed the company, later securing a position in the front office for the Washington Wizards and Mystics. Additionally, Senior Deputy Editor Elizabeth Baugh was affected by the same investigation and subsequently transitioned to a marketing and communications role at Ring Magazine. Another notable departure included Heather Burns, who was the senior deputy editor responsible for NFL coverage.
The hiring of Scott marks a return to a previous model for ESPN, reminiscent of the time when former Boston Globe sports editor Vince Doria led the news desk for many years before his retirement in 2015.
