Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN's Michael Wilbon announces indefinite leave of absence
Michael Wilbon has been a stalwart at ESPN for the past quarter century. As a co-host of Pardon the Interruption with Tony Kornheiser and a network analyst, he has been one of the best voices at the Worldwide Leaders in Sports since 2001.
Earlier today, Michael Wilbon announced an indefinite leave of absence from ESPN and ABC citing “multiple health issues” which need to be addressed.
Michael Wilbon Releases Statement About Leave of Absence From ESPN
Wilbon made it clear in his statement that the reasons for his leave of absence are tied to his health and not gambling or alcohol. He wrote “this isn’t retirement, but it is a trip to the injured list. Hopefully not an extended one. Struggles with multiple health issues in recent months lead me to take an indefinite leave of absence from my PTI and NBA duties at ESPN and ABC.”
The statement continued, saying “Probably, I should have listened to medical professionals and people closest to me, yep Kornheiser included, who saw worrisome signs in recent years that suggested I take time away earlier. But I didn’t.”
Here is the full statement:
ESPN's Michael Wilbon releases a statement about indefinite leave of absence from ESPN due to multiple health issues
Immediately after releasing the statement, Wilbon’s ESPN colleagues began sending him words of support. Adam Schefter wrote “Get well soon, Michael!” and Jay Bilas replied “All the best to the BEST!”
Throughout my entire career in digital media and life as a sports fan I have never once encountered someone who either disliked Michael Wilbon or had a single negative thing to say about him. That is an INCREDIBLY RARE FEAT in the modern sports media world where so many figures on TV make a living by being controversial. But not Wilbon. He has always been a straight shooter and PTI has remained one of ESPN’s best shows for years.
A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Michael Wilbon came to ESPN with impeccable sports journalism credentials and the network will feel the enormity of his absence every day that Wilbon is on leave. Hopefully he is able to make a speedy recovery and return to PTI and NBA coverage in the near future.