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ESPN's Wilbon Takes Leave for Health Issues
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In Short: 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 co-hosts the network's popular 'Pardon the Interruption' (PTI) show with Tony Kornheiser, cited the need to focus on his well-being.
Wilbon's last appearance on PTI was on October 26, marking the end of a 25-year run that revolutionized the sports debate format on television.
In a post on X, Wilbon wrote, 'The goal is to come out of it feeling much better than I do now and ready to return to sparring with Tony.'
Wilbon, who turned 68 this month, acknowledged that he had ignored worrisome signs in recent years, including exhaustion and fatigue, that his colleagues and friends had noticed.
Wilbon's health issues include a minor heart attack in 2008 and a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.
ESPN president James Pitaro expressed support for 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.'
Frank Isola and Pablo Torre will fill in for Wilbon this week, with subsequent hosting assignments handled on a week-to-week basis.
Wilbon and Kornheiser, who became colleagues at The Washington Post in the 1980s, will be honored by Arizona State University with the 43rd Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in early 2027.
Wilbon's health issues highlight the importance of prioritizing well-being, especially for those in high-stress professions.
Wilbon's leave of absence is indefinite, and the network is supportive of his decision to prioritize his health.
What this adds
Wilbon's decision to take a leave of absence comes after he had previously ignored signs of health issues, including exhaustion and fatigue, that his colleagues and friends had noticed.
What's confirmed
- 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.
- 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."
- "I have no idea how exactly this part of my journey will wind up," Wilbon posted.
- “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,” he wrote.
- “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.
- “We are here for Michael ever step of the way and look forward to welcoming him back whenever he is ready.” Wilbon was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as the Curt Gowdy Media Award recipient for print journalism in 2020.
- “He’s an important member of our ESPN team and widely respected by his peers, sports fans and so many others throughout our industry,” Pitaro said.
- “This isn’t retirement, but it is a trip to the injured list. Hopefully not an extended one,” Wilbon, 67, wrote.
What's still developing
- One of the faces of ESPN’s daily lineup is stepping away to address medical issues.
- 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 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.
- If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
- 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.
- Wilbon said in his time away, he plans “to concentrate on me, specifically on my well-being,” but he is unsure of his timeline to return to the network.
- Wilbon said on Kornheiser’s podcast Monday that he missed last week’s run of PTI due to feeling “exhausted — beyond exhuasted, lifeless” and that Kornheiser and others close to him had encouraged him to take some time away from the show and from ESPN’s NBA coverage, where he is a studio analyst.