Longtime ESPN broadcaster Michael Wilbon is taking a step back from work to address “multiple health issues” he said he should have listened to sooner.
The NBA studio analyst, who co-hosts ESPN’s debate show “Pardon The Interruption” alongside Tony Kornheiser, said that he will take an indefinite leave of absence from “PTI” and his NBA duties at ESPN and ABC on Monday in a message on social media.
“This isn’t retirement but it is a trip to the injured list,” Wilbon wrote. “Hopefully not an extended one. Struggle 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 chance I find loathsome).”
Wilbon did not share when he he plans to return.
“I have no idea exactly how this part of my journey will wind up,” he said. “The goal is to come out of it feeling much better than I do now and ready to return to sparring with Tony.”
“Pardon The Interruption” celebrated its 25th anniversary on Oct. 22.