• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, May 14, 2012

Robin Roberts is returning to “SportsCenter.” The former anchor will conduct interviews with leading female athletes in weekly segments starting Thursday.

The eight editions of “In the Game with Robin Roberts Presented by Lexus” will debut with softball great Jennie Finch and run through July on a morning “SportsCenter.”

The interviews will run on ESPN’s flagship show and have extensions via Lexus-backed microsites at espnW.com and ABCNews.com. Versions of the interviews will also appear in “ESPN The Magazine.”

Roberts spent 15 years at ESPN before becoming a co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America.” That show has recently been soaring with ratings surpassing NBC’s stalwart “Today Show.”

It is the first cross-platform initiative between espnW, ESPN’s female-targeted brand, and ABC News.

Social media outlets for both will promote the mini-series under an “In the Game Live” banner. Co-branded Lexus ads on Facebook will also be used. There will be opportunities for users to submit questions for Roberts to ask in upcoming interviews.

Lexus is using the sponsorship to launch a crossover utility vehicle, where promotions carry a “What’s Next” tag. Roberts will question star athletes on their future plans.