**Elle Duncan Reflects on Career Lessons During MLB Opening Night with Netflix**
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Elle Duncan, the sports anchor who recently joined Netflix as an on-air host for sports and live events, took the opportunity to share an important lesson from her past during 2026 MLB Opening Night in San Francisco. As the New York Yankees faced the San Francisco Giants on March 25, Duncan recalled a particularly challenging experience from her early career that continues to inform her work today.
The 42-year-old broadcaster, who has previously spent several successful years at ESPN, described a career misstep that occurred during her first Opening Day coverage of the Atlanta Braves. At the time, Duncan worked in traffic for a local news station in Atlanta and was eager to prove herself by reporting on her beloved team.
“I begged them to send me to the Braves game for Opening Day,” she explained in an interview with PEOPLE. Duncan felt confident, believing her enthusiasm and background as a lifelong Braves fan would be enough to ensure a successful performance. However, the reality of the situation turned out to be quite different.
Reflecting on that day, Duncan admitted, “I was horrible. I was so bad.” This candid assessment revealed how overconfidence can lead to significant pitfalls, especially in a demanding field like sports journalism. It was a humbling experience that made her aware of the crucial relationship between preparation and performance.
Duncan used the occasion to emphasise the lesson she learned from the incident: “Confidence without preparation really doesn’t mean anything.” She recounted how she relied too heavily on her familiarity with the team rather than adequately preparing for the assignment. “It was embarrassing,” she said, acknowledging that failing to deliver on such a significant day taught her the importance of thorough preparation.
She remarked, “Even the small, menial things that you think you know and have a handle on, you should really, really prepare for.” This mantra has guided her throughout her career, ensuring that she always comes thoroughly equipped, regardless of her confidence in the subject matter.
Since that tough day, Duncan’s career has seen considerable growth. With nearly a decade of experience hosting ESPN’s SportsCenter and leading broadcasts for College GameDay and WNBA Countdown, she has built an impressive profile in sports media. Duncan took a significant step forward in her career in December 2025, signing a multi-year agreement with Netflix to host a variety of sports events on their platform.
Her recent role has brought her excitement and pleasure, as expressed in her conversation with PEOPLE. “It’s going great,” she enthusiastically stated about her new position. “Netflix is amazing. I love their scale.”
Duncan praised the platform for its ambitious approach, noting how they consistently strive to enhance the spectacle of live events. “They’re like, how do we take this spectacle and make it even bigger?” she shared, reflecting on her experiences with Netflix.
In fact, the MLB Opening Night marked her second live hosting event for the streaming service, following her lead in the high-profile coverage of rock climber Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of Taipei 101 in January. She expressed how much she enjoyed the work: “I’m having a great time. The early returns have been awesome.”
As Duncan continues her journey at Netflix, she carries with her the lessons learned from past experiences, ensuring that she remains well-prepared no matter the circumstances. Her story stands as a reminder to aspiring journalists and sports anchors about the importance of preparation and humility in the face of high-pressure situations.