ESPN's Wilbon taking leave of absence to address health issues
ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon announced a leave of absence to address 'multiple health issues,' saying he hopes his trip to 'the injured list' is 'not an extended one' and that he will return to 'Pardon the Interruption.'
ESPN's Michael Wilbon is stepping away from the airwaves. The longtime network commentator and co-host of the popular 'Pardon the Interruption' debate show announced Monday that he is taking a leave of absence to address what he described as 'multiple health issues.'
Wilbon, who turns 68 later this month, shared the news in a post on X, saying he is taking a trip to 'the injured list' but hoping it is 'not an extended one.'
The veteran broadcaster, who also appears on ESPN's NBA coverage, declined to go into specifics about what he is facing. He said people in his personal life had noticed 'worrisome signs' in recent years that he largely ignored, and made a point of noting that the issues are not alcohol- or gambling-related.
'I have no idea how exactly this part of my journey will wind up,' 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'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 grew out of his decades-long friendship with Tony Kornheiser; the two became colleagues at The Washington Post before bringing their chemistry to ESPN.
'I have loved sparring and hosting PTI with Tony every single day these past 25 years,' Wilbon wrote.
Source: ESPN — Top Headlines — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.