Elle Duncan will host Netflix’s first major event of the holiday period

ESPN have pinpointed their ideal candidate to replace Elle Duncan on their WNBA live coverage.

Duncan, 42, took a ‘substantial raise’ to join Netflix’s sports team having been with ESPN since 2016.

Elle Duncan had been with ESPN since 2016

Malika Andrews has been lined up by ESPN to replace her on the WNBA live coverage

It is believed that her Netflix contract allows her to work with other networks.

However, ESPN are unwilling to share their talent with Netflix as they are set to rival again for ratings over the holiday period.

ESPN have already lined up their ideal replacement for Duncan, at least on the WNBA live coverage front.

Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel has reported that Malika Andrews is the leading candidate to replace Duncan.

Andrews, 30, works on Countdown, the NBA Draft, NBA Today, and WNBA Countdown for ESPN.

She recently signed a multi-year extension and is the most obvious candidate to take over from Duncan.

Andrews also resumed her duties as a sideline reporter for ESPN’s NBA coverage this year.

She became ESPN’s youngest sideline reporter ever in 2020 and the first woman to host the NBA Draft in 2022.

Her multi-year new deal with the network was also somewhat sparked by Molly Qerim’s shock exit from First Take in September.

Elle Duncan’s departure has only reinforced the decision to keep Andrews with ESPN.

Few could blame Duncan for her ambition as she is set to play a massive role in the streaming giant’s future in sports broadcasting.

One of Duncan’s first events with Netflix is hosting the fight night between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua.

If the viewer count is anything like the fight between Paul and Mike Tyson last year, it will be an incredible debut for Duncan.

Netflix is also back for its second edition of their Christmas Day NFL double header.

However, Kay Adams and Jamie Erdahl are the hosts for those two festive clashes.