With the end of the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night begins a bit of a lull in the sports calendar. And subsequently, one of the cornerstones of ESPN’s programming will be put on pause until the start of football season.
ESPN’s NBA coverage received heavy scrutiny throughout the vast majority of the NBA postseason. But one particular portion of the network’s coverage, Scott Van Pelt’s postgame coverage as the host of SportsCenter with SVP, was generally well received.
In an era of the network that seemingly caters to hot takes and divisive commentary, Van Pelt is always a reliable source of valuable commentary, along with a few laughs.
After Van Pelt’s post-draft coverage at the end of the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night, he informed viewers that SportsCenter with SVP would be going on a temporary break starting immediately until August 26, just a few days after the start of the college football season.
“A decade of this particular show,” said Van Pelt. “I’ve written one big thing on a couple of occasions, the last show before we take a break. And after doing this so long, I am always fearful of saying the same thing so often that it becomes annoyingly repetitive, even to me. But we are truly grateful for the support that you provide.
“It’s been a whole lot of fun to get out to more of the bigger events. To do our shows following titles being won. All of us who were in that Atlanta airport after Notre Dame-Ohio State will always have A6, won’t we? There he is, looking like a crazy European.
“They will be playing football again before we know it. We’ll hear trombones, shorties, hurricane season. Give out some winners, we’re gonna be back at it. We never take for granted what it is we get to do.
“I have no clue how long we’re gonna be able to do it. But we sure as hell appreciate you being out there and letting us keep you company. So be safe, enjoy your summer, stay well until we see you again. I’m gonna put on Lionel Richie and drive 100 down Clara Barton Parkway.”
In addition to his public signoff, Van Pelt would share a post on social media about how grateful he is that he gets to do what he does at ESPN.
“A decade of a show….that’s a lot,” wrote Van Pelt in a post on X. “Proud of what we do and grateful for you supporting us. We’ll fire it back up again in time for football. My sincere thanks. It remains impossible to believe this is what I get to do.”
Naturally, Van Pelt got plenty of well-wishes on social media ahead of his well-deserved break from ESPN programming. But there were similarly many who selfishly weren’t happy to hear that he would be taking this break.
“Congrats,” wrote The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. “Smartest studio show in sports. You never cheat the audience, and you make something that is waaaaay harder than it looks seem so easy.”
“Legend,” wrote Van Pelt’s ESPN colleague Dan Orlovsky.
“Congrats on the legendary show!” wrote ESPN’s Marc Spears.
“Scott: You got one of the best shows ever on ESPN,” wrote Wes Durham of the ACC Network. “Informative, entertaining and above all fun. So deserving of the success you’re having. Enjoy the ride!”
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.