ESPN's Scott Van Pelt on a Possible Big Change
SI Media With Jimmy Traina
Sports Illustrated
4.6 • 1.2K Ratings
🗓️ 22 January 2026
⏱️ 80 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Episode 591 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt.
Van Pelt talks about whether he will be moving into ESPN’s 5 p.m. slot that used to be occupied by “Around the Horn,” the pros and cons of that time slot and how close his former partner, Ryen Russillo, came to returning to ESPN and joining him for a new show.
In addition, Van Pelt talks about the controversy involving Jacksonville reporter, Lynn Jones, complementing Liam Coen during a press conference, going through a health scare years ago, his addiction to Diet Coke, his favorite Bad Beat of 2025, Super Bowl betting and much more.
Following Van Pelt, SNY's Sal Licata joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss dealing with the cold weather, reactions to recent podcast interviews with Mike Tirico and Laura Rutledge, the problem with NFL television rules analysts, the NFL conference championship games and Sal’s new show.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome everyone to SI Media with Jimmy Traynor. |
| 0:05.4 | Thank you so much for listening. |
| 0:07.3 | We've got Scott Van Pelt from ESPN on the show today. |
| 0:10.6 | Scott is always an outstanding guest. |
| 0:13.1 | Today was no different. |
| 0:14.2 | Got into a lot of topics with Scott. |
| 0:16.7 | Obviously, a lot of rumors out there. |
| 0:19.3 | He may move to 5 o'clock. |
| 0:20.7 | We get into that. |
| 0:22.1 | And the overall sort of state of sports media, a lot of topics we covered there with Mr. Van Pelt. |
| 0:28.2 | And then, of course, Salakata follows Van Pelt for our weekly Train of Thoughts segment. |
| 0:34.0 | Before we get into it, quick reminder. |
| 0:36.0 | If you missed any recent episodes, check them out in the archives and subscribe to S.I media with Jimmy Trana. Mike Tariko from NBC Sports. It was on the pod last week, Laura Rottledge from ESPN two weeks ago. I have some thoughts on both of those interviews, so they come in the train of thought segment with Sal, so you could hear that. I also had Peter Schrager and Andrew Perlaough for our year-end, extravaganza Joe Buck on the pod recently as well. If you missed any of those, check them out in the archives, subscribe slash follow the podcast, please, and also rate and review on Apple. All right, let's get to it. Scott Van Pelt from ESPN, followed by Sal Akada and Trayna thoughts. |
| 1:15.1 | All right here right now on SI Media with Jimmy Trana. |
| 1:17.0 | All right. Joining me now, he's one of my favorites when he comes on. |
| 1:19.6 | Appreciate him because I know he's been extremely busy this week. |
| 1:23.5 | We saw him Saturday, Sunday, no, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, all over the place. |
| 1:29.6 | Scott Van Pelt. |
| 1:31.1 | Scott, how are you? |
| 1:32.5 | I'm well, Jimmy. |
| 1:33.8 | I'm happy to be home and available to visit with you. |
| 1:39.9 | Well, give me the schedule the last few days, but where were we're over? |
... |
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