Abby Wambach becomes latest Florida Gators athlete to join ESPN

By Adam Silverstein
May 4, 2016
Abby Wambach becomes latest Florida Gators athlete to join ESPN
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Image Credit: ESPN Images

ESPN has a thing for hiring Florida Gators, it seems.

United States women’s soccer star Abby Wambach is the latest former Gators athlete to join the network, ESPN announced Wednesday.

Wambach, who retired from the sport earlier this year following a career as one of the best of either gender to play soccer, scored 184 goals – the most of any player, male or female – over her 15-year international career. She was named the 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year, won two Olympic gold medals (2004, 2012) and played in four World Cups, winning her last (2015).

She joins quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Jesse Palmer, defensive lineman Kevin Carter and wide receiver Chris Doering as Florida athletes employed by the network as analysts and commentators.

Erin Andrews (dazzler) and Jenn Brown (softball) previously worked with ESPN.

“My soccer career has provided me with a lot of different experiences that brings more than Xs and Os to the table,” said Wambach in a statement. “I’m excited to join ESPN and to have the opportunity to tell stories that transcend soccer.”

Wambach will begin her tenure with ESPN covering soccer during the UEFA European Championships. She will then transition into covering soccer and other sports during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

ESPN has noted that her role will go beyond the pitch as she will host the ‘Fearless Conversation with Abby Wambach’ podcast and be put to work across other ESPN platforms, including the company’s film division, reporting show ‘E:60’ and investigative journalism program ‘Outside the Lines.’

Wambach last made an appearance on ESPN presenting the Arthur Ashe Courage Awards to Kaitlyn Jenner. She was recently arrested for driving under the influence and is contesting those charges.

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