Longtime co-host of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" Michael Wilbon made an unfortunate announcement on Monday. Wilbon will be taking an indefinite leave of absence while he deals with various health issues. This means Wilbon will not appear on "PTI" alongside his co-host Tony Kornheiser for the time being.
The duo just celebrated 25 years of the show this year. Wilbon also occasionally appears on ABC/ESPN's broadcasts of NBA games. Wilbon posted a lengthy statement on social media on Monday, sharing that these health issues were ones he ignored for too long.
He didn't specify what health issues he is dealing with. "This isn't retirement, but it is a trip to the injured list. Hopefully not an extended one.
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," Wilbon wrote. "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." The 67-year-old then clarified that the issues are not alcohol or sports gambling related.
"And as one close friend has said as my issues have become bigger, 'the bill has come due,'" Wilbon continued. "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)." He ended his statement saying that he hopes to return to "PTI" at some point, emphasizing how this isn't necessarily a retirement. "I have loved sparring and hosting PTI with Tony every single day these past 25 years," Wilbon wrote.
"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." ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro shared a statement on Monday expressing the network's support for Wilbon during this time.
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