Michael Wilbon steps away from ESPN indefinitely due to health issues: “I have to listen”
The longtime host of Pardon the Interruption explained that he is dealing with several health issues and decided to take some time off to recover. At 67, he clarified that this is not a retirement.
Michael Wilbon announced this Monday that he will take an indefinite leave from ESPN and ABC due to several health issues that have worsened over the past few months. The 67-year-old journalist will temporarily step away from both Pardon the Interruption and his duties related to NBA coverage.
The decision comes after Wilbon was absent for a week from the program he hosts alongside Tony Kornheiser. In a conversation with his colleague, he acknowledged that he was “more than exhausted” and that he had been dealing with that situation for some time. He also explained that diabetes is part of the problems he is facing, although it is not the only reason for his current condition.
Wilbon rules out this being a complete retirement.
The journalist wanted to make it clear that his absence does not mean the end of his career. In a message posted on social media, he described his decision as a “trip to the injured list” and expressed his hope that it would not be too prolonged. “This is not a retirement,” he said while explaining his leave from PTI and his responsibilities with the NBA.
Wilbon also acknowledged that he should have listened earlier to doctors and the people around him, including Kornheiser, who had warned of worrying signs in recent years. According to him, the problems he is going through are exclusively health-related and are not connected to alcohol or gambling.
The absence comes just days after the 25th anniversary of Pardon the Interruption, one of ESPN’s most recognizable programs. Wilbon and Kornheiser began hosting it in 2001 and have kept the format together for a quarter of a century.
What a wild and incredible 25 years it has been! We are beyond grateful to all our loyal Knuckleheads. Join us on this journey through PTI memories...
During his appearance on Kornheiser's podcast, Wilbon explained that the symptoms had reached a point where he could no longer ignore them. “I have to listen”, he said, referring to the signs that are forcing him to stop and focus on his recovery.
ESPN publicly expressed its support for the journalist and said it hopes to welcome him back when he is ready to return. In the meantime, the network will rely on guest hosts to cover his absence on PTI, while other analysts will take over some of his NBA-related duties.
Wilbon's last appearance on Pardon the Interruption took place on October 26. For now, there is no set date for his return . The journalist himself admitted that he does not know exactly how long this period will last, although his goal is to recover and return to share the program with Kornheiser.
