ESPN's College GameDay Built by The Home Depot Kicks Off 39th Season with Legacy of Lee Corso

Strategic Insights -

ESPN's flagship college football pregame show, College GameDay Built by The Home Depot, returns for its 39th season, kicking off the new year live from outside St. John Arena on Ohio State's campus in Columbus, Ohio. The show marks a milestone moment as legendary analyst Lee Corso makes his final appearance after 38 seasons on College GameDay, culminating his 38-year career with a headgear pick in the city where it all started. The College GameDay crew, featuring Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban, is set to deliver an unforgettable show, filled with surprises, mascots, and the iconic headgear tradition that has become an integral part of the show's history.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lee Corso, a beloved personality and iconic host, makes his final appearance on College GameDay after 38 seasons, making over 430 headgear picks, including picking the Ohio State Buckeyes a record 45 times.
  • Corso's final headgear pick will be made at Ohio State's St. John Arena, where he began the tradition in 1996.
  • The show marks a send-off for Corso's legacy, with a special tribute to his 38-year career, including a one-time logo, "College GameDay Built by The Home Depot and Lee Corso," featuring his signature into The Home Depot's iconic branding.
  • Regulars like Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban return for another season, along with college football insider Pete Thamel, and reporters Jen Lada and Jess Sims.
  • The show features a diverse range of guests, including Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, former Oh State quarterback Will Howard, and Glen Powell, actor and diehard Texas fan.
  • The show also includes a special segment on Pat McAfee's Kicking Contest, a fan-favorite that offers an exclusive contest during the live show, with the winner earning $50,000.

Statistics:

  • 38 - The number of seasons Lee Corso has been a part of College GameDay.
  • 430 - The number of headgear picks Corso has made throughout his career, including picking the Ohio State Buckeyes a record 45 times.
  • 2.2 million - The number of viewers College GameDay averaged for its 2024 season, its most-watched season on record.
  • 30 - The number of exclusive Lee Corso action figures made, featuring a College GameDay desk, a customizable sign, two interchangeable mascot heads, and a QR code that allows fans to personalize their ESPN App.
  • 26 - The number of times College GameDay has visited Ohio State, the most of any school to host the show.

Sources:

  • ESPN's official press release
  • https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/08/espns-college-gameday-built-by-the-home-depot-kicks-off-week-1-at-ohio-state-legendary-analyst-lee-corsos-final-show-after-38-years/
  • ESPN DTC Press Kit
  • College GameDay's official website and social media channels
  • The ESPN App