ESPN‘s Pardon the Interruption co-host will be on an indefinite health leave. Michael Wilbon has shared a crucial update due to “multiple health issues” over the last few months.
Wilbon posted on Monday, announcing his leave from PTI and his NBA broadcasting duties at ESPN and ABC to address his health. He made it clear that “This isn’t a retirement, but it is a trip to the injured list.”
He cited struggles “with multiple health issues in recent months” that forced him to take an indefinite leave of absence. But he’s hoping to “come out of” the break sooner. He wants to make sure he feels better “than I do now and ready to return to sparring with Tony.”
Tony Kornheiser had warned Michael Wilbon about his health
Michael Wilbon also acknowledged the warnings from his PTI co-host Tony Kornheiser. He had expressed concerns about his deteriorating health before it turned serious. “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.”
Wilbon has been co-hosting Pardon the Interruption with Kornheiser for 25 years. “PTI continues with the same level of success that it had 25 years ago,” said the longtime executive producer Erik Rydholm. “And the reason for that, for us, is Tony and Mike. Because people feel connected to them and their relationship. It feels familiar to them, with family being the essence of familiar.”
With Wilbon on leave, ESPN is expected to bring in Pablo Torre or Frank Isola this week. Both of them have served as substitute co-hosts in the past for Wilbon or Kornheiser when they were on leave. However, the network has yet to confirm who will serve as a longtime replacement for Wilbon following his latest announcement.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
