Michael Wilbon announces indefinite leave from ESPN due to ‘multiple health issues’

· Yahoo Sports

Credit: ESPN

One of the faces of ESPN’s daily lineup is stepping away to address medical issues.

Michael Wilbon, the longtime cohost of Pardon the Interruption and a contributor to ESPN’s NBA coverage, announced on Monday he will be stepping away from the network due to recent health struggles.

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“This isn’t retirement, but it is a trip to the injured list. Hopefully not an extended one,” Wilbon began. “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.

“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. But I didn’t.

“And as one close friend has said as my issues have become bigger, ‘the bill has come due.’ The struggles are all health related, not to alcohol (I’m not swearing off the now-and-then Kier Royale) and not to gambling (those winds of change I find loathsome).

“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, specifically on my well-being. I have no idea exactly how this part of my journey will wind up. The goal is to come out of it feeling much better than I do now and ready to return to sparring with Tony,” Wilbon concluded.

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.

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 popular weekday evening show remains the most-watched in ESPN’s daily studio catalogue even after a quarter-century. Both Wilbon and Kornheiser signed contract extensions with ESPN last year that will run into 2028.

When Wilbon or Kornheiser are absent, PTI goes to a regular bench of fill-ins including Frank Isola, Pablo Torre, and Mina Kimes. PTI is scheduled to air Monday evening at 5:30 p.m. ET in its normal window. It’s unclear at this time who Wilbon’s regular replacement will be.

We will update this post as more information is gathered.

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