For years, college wrestling fans have felt neglected by mainstream sports networks, often seeing their favorite sport overshadowed by football and basketball. ESPN, in particular, has been a target of frustration for its limited coverage and questionable broadcasting decisions. But now? The tide is turning.
In a surprise move, ESPN is going all-in on the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, unveiling a one-hour E60 special titled “Game On: Journey to the NCAA Championship.” The special, set to air next week, will highlight top programs, feature wrestler storylines, and offer a deeper look into the most intense tournament in college sports. And wrestling fans? They’re taking notice.
ESPN’s commitment to wrestling isn’t just talk—it’s a full-scale production effort. The special, hosted by Sean Kenney and Rock Harrison, was filmed in Studio Z at ESPN’s Bristol headquarters, signaling a big-time investment from the network.
During the promo, Kenney and Harrison couldn’t contain their excitement. “ESPN is behind wrestling. Whatever you think, they are putting all the resources into making sure everybody knows about the NCAA Championships,” Harrison emphasized.
Good news: @espn is giving a big push to the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship. For the first time, E60 has produced a one-hour special called “Game On: Journey to the NCAA Championship.” The E60 show airs next week and features wrestlers and programs. Here is the promo: pic.twitter.com/UnxRf4tM6U
— Rock Harrison (@rockreax) March 13, 2025
The E60 special will cover Oklahoma State, Penn State, and Missouri, along with deep dives into the dominance of Keegan O’Toole and the Panther Train’s rise in the rankings. It’s a level of storytelling and behind-the-scenes access that college wrestling simply hasn’t gotten before.
“We’re going to give spotlights on different things to look out for. It’s going to be exciting to get ready for this.” Beyond the E60 feature, ESPN has already boosted wrestling coverage this season, including broadcasting major dual meets like Oklahoma State’s battle against UNI. Even longtime skeptics admit—this is a shift worth acknowledging.
Fans flip the script on ESPN: from criticism to praise
For years, ESPN’s wrestling coverage has been a major source of frustration. Fans have blasted the network for treating wrestling as an afterthought, often placing tournament matches on secondary channels or providing minimal promotional efforts. But this time? ESPN is making believers out of skeptics. One fan admitted: “This is a very unexpected surprise. Not only are they putting more focus on it, but they’re admitting that they know people think they don’t. Props for owning it and addressing it!”
That self-awareness seems to be resonating. Rather than brushing aside past criticisms, ESPN is confronting them head-on—and fans appreciate the effort. Another fan echoed the sentiment: “I have a few issues with how wrestling is covered on the ESPN channels, but I’ll be watching this! And I’ll be watching the tournament later in the week!”
However, not all reactions were entirely positive. Some fans remain cautious, unsure if ESPN’s push will become a long-term commitment or just a one-time PR move. “Awesome. I just hope it doesn’t turn into some woke wackiness,” one fan wrote, highlighting the lingering skepticism ESPN still faces.
Others, however, are already all-in: “Loving ESPN’s commitment to growing wrestling coverage! This is exactly what the sport needs.” Wrestling has fought for national recognition for years, often struggling to break through into mainstream sports coverage. But with ESPN making a serious push, could this be a turning point?
The NCAA Wrestling Championships remain one of the toughest, most intense events in college sports, and this new coverage could help bring in a wider audience. As one fan put it: “ESPN has done some great documentaries on wrestling. Excited to see this one.”
For now, wrestling fans have something they’re not used to seeing from ESPN—genuine attention. And with the E60 special and increased coverage leading into the NCAA Finals, ESPN is making one thing clear: They aren’t just covering wrestling this year. They’re investing in it. ESPN’s decision to double down on wrestling coverage isn’t just a win for hardcore fans—it’s a huge step for the sport’s visibility on a national level. Whether this commitment holds beyond 2025 remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Wrestling fans are watching. And, for once, they actually like what they see.
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