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ESPN's Michael Wilbon Takes Leave for Health Issues
· Confirmed
In Short: Longtime ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon is taking a leave of absence to address multiple health issues.
Michael Wilbon, one of ESPN's most recognizable faces, announced Monday that he is taking a leave of absence to address multiple health issues.
Wilbon, who has been with ESPN since 2001, said in a post on X that he is taking a trip to 'the injured list' but added that he hopes it is 'not an extended one.'
Wilbon's last appearance on 'Pardon the Interruption' (PTI), which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, was on October 26. PTI is credited with revolutionizing television's 'sports debate' format.
Wilbon and longtime cohost Tony Kornheiser signed contract extensions with ESPN last year that will run into 2028. Both hosts recently celebrated the show’s 25-year anniversary with a special 30-minute edition.
Wilbon wrote, 'I have loved sparring and hosting PTI with Tony every single day these past 25 years, and I'm incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement of my colleagues as I take this time away to concentrate on me, especially my well-being.'
Wilbon, who turns 68 later this month, acknowledged that those around him, including Kornheiser, had encouraged him to take a break before now. He said, '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.'
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro issued a statement in support of Wilbon, saying, 'He’s an important member of our ESPN team and widely respected by his peers, sports fans and so many others throughout our industry.'
Frequent PTI guest hosts Pablo Torre and Frank Isola will fill in for Wilbon this week, with the show planning to tap guest hosts on a more week-to-week schedule in the following weeks.
Wilbon's last appearance on PTI was on October 26, and the show recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special 30-minute edition.
In addition to his PTI duties, Wilbon is a studio analyst for ESPN’s NBA coverage.
Sports media commentators and colleagues have rallied around Wilbon, wishing him well and expressing their support.
What this adds
Wilbon's last appearance on PTI was on October 26, and the show recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special 30-minute edition.
ESPN colleagues and sports reporters have rallied around Wilbon after the announcement.
What's confirmed
- One of the faces of ESPN’s daily lineup is stepping away to address medical issues.
- Wilbon and his longtime PTI cohost Tony Kornheiser recently celebrated the show’s 25-year anniversary, a milestone that warranted a special 30-minute edition of the debate program.
- Wilbon has needed to address medical issues in the past, suffering a minor heart attack in 2008 and subsequently being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
- Both Wilbon and Kornheiser signed contract extensions with ESPN last year that will run into 2028.
- The longtime ESPN commentator and co-host of the network's popular "Pardon the Interruption" talk show alongside good friend Tony Kornheiser announced Monday that he is taking a leave of absence because of what he described as "multiple health issues."
- Wilbon's last appearance on "PTI," which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and is credited with revolutionizing television's "sports debate" format, was Oct. 26. The show, in part, is a byproduct of the friendship of Wilbon and Kornheiser, who became colleagues at The Washington Post in the 1980s. "I have loved sparring and hosting PTI with Tony every single day these past 25 years," Wilbon wrote. "And I'm incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement of my colleagues as I take this time away to concentrate on me, especially my well-being."
- Wilbon, who turns 68 later this month, wrote in a post on X that he is taking a trip to "the injured list" but added that he hopes it is "not an extended one."
- While Wilbon, who is also featured on ESPN's NBA coverage, declined to go into detail about what he is facing, he added that there are people in his personal life who noticed "worrisome signs" in recent years that he largely ignored.
- "I have no idea how exactly this part of my journey will wind up," Wilbon posted.
- Michael Wilbon is stepping away from ESPN to address his health, with no timetable for returning to Pardon the Interruption or the network’s NBA coverage.
- “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.” Wilbon acknowledged that those around him, including longtime co-host Tony Kornheiser, had encouraged him to take a break before now.
- Longtime ESPN broadcaster Michael Wilbon is taking a step back from work to address “multiple health issues” he said he should have listened to sooner.
What's still developing
- I hope he sees the outpouring and allows it to land in a way that serves as fuel to feel a bit better," Van Pelt said. Other sports media commentators wished Wilbon well Monday, referencing his influence on them: Clay Travis: "Get well.
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- Speaking personally, it has been an honor to get to know him professionally.
- Most importantly, we want to send our best wishes to Michael Wilbon.
- “The goal is to come out of it feeling much better than I do now,” Wilbon said Natasha Dye is a Writer-Reporter for PEOPLE covering sports.
- OutKick has had the pleasure of interviewing Wilbon on several occasions.
- “Sending Wilbon good vibes and prayers. We’ll see you back again soon, knucklehead,” Sugrue wrote.
- Waiting for your permission to load the Twitter Tweet. He's stepping away from both "Pardon the Interruption" as well as his NBA duties for ESPN and ABC. Wilbon made it crystal clear these are health issues, and not ones related to alcohol or gambling. He even joked he isn't swearing off his now-and then Kir Royale... while calling the rise of sports betting something he finds "loathsome."
- Wilbon made his name at the Washington Post, where he started in 1980, before launching "PTI" with Kornheiser in October 2001.
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- Wilbon, a longtime sportswriter and columnist for The Washington Post, did not specify the health issues he is facing but said his situation is not alcohol- related.