Michael Wilbon Takes an Indefinite Leave From ESPN to Focus on His Health: 'A Trip to the Injured List'
'Michael Wilbon' is the No. 2 search in America on Monday because the 'Pardon the Interruption' co-host announced he is stepping away from ESPN and ABC indefinitely. The 67-year-old stressed it is not retirement, offered no timetable, and said the struggles are health-related only - not alcohol, not gambling.
HOUSTON - One of the most familiar chairs in sports television will sit empty for a while. Michael Wilbon, who has co-hosted ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' with Tony Kornheiser since 2001, announced on Monday that he is taking an indefinite leave of absence from his PTI and NBA duties at ESPN and ABC to focus on his health, ESPN reported.
'This isn't retirement, but it is a trip to the injured list. Hopefully not an extended one,' Wilbon wrote on X, in ESPN's account. 'Struggles with multiple health issues in recent months lead me to take an indefinite leave of absence.' He made a point of saying the issues are not alcohol- or gambling-related, and he has given no timetable for a return. His last PTI appearance was Oct. 26, days after the show celebrated its 25th anniversary.
On Monday's 'Tony Kornheiser Show,' as reported by Awful Announcing, Wilbon filled in the human detail: he had missed a week of the show because he was 'exhausted; beyond exhausted, lifeless,' and he conceded he should have listened sooner to medical professionals and to Kornheiser. 'When you're a diabetic person and you ignore some of these [health] things, the bill comes due,' he said. Wilbon, who turns 68 later this month, survived a heart attack in 2008 and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes the same day - a history he has never hidden from viewers.
ESPN closed ranks behind him. 'Michael and his family have ESPN's full support as he takes time away to focus on his health and well-being,' chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in the statement carried by The Spun. '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 fill his chair this week, with guest hosts rotating week to week after that. Wilbon and Kornheiser both signed extensions last year running into 2028 - the network, like the audience, is planning on the chair being his when he is ready.
