By Thomas Heath Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, July 16, 2002; Page D02
ESPN has suspended radio and television host Tony Kornheiser for one week without pay for making remarks that were critical of management during his radio program, sources familiar with the situation said.
Kornheiser, a Washington Post reporter and columnist for more than 20 years, said yesterday he did not know the reason for the suspension.
"You should ask them as to why this happened," Kornheiser said yesterday. "I was notified by my agent on Friday afternoon. He said, 'You have been suspended by ESPN and don't go to work.' " The suspension started yesterday.
Kornheiser, whose annual financial package with ESPN is worth more than $500,000, has criticized the network's personnel decisions on his radio show. Sources said ESPN management was unhappy with comments Kornheiser made during commercial breaks that aren't heard on the radio but are broadcast on the Internet.
ESPN spokesman Dan Quinn declined to comment, saying the company does not discuss personnel matters.
Kornheiser is the host of an ESPN sports-talk radio show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each weekday that is broadcast on 243 stations and reaches 1.35 million listeners each week, according to Quinn. The show has been on ESPN since January 1998.
He also co-hosts a nightly half-hour, television sports show on ESPN called "Pardon the Interruption" with Michael Wilbon. Wilbon also writes a column for The Post. Both are on a month-long vacation from the newspaper.
"Pardon the Interruption" first aired last October and has a Neilson rating of .43, which means it reaches about 370,000 homes, Quinn said.
Chris Moore of ESPN radio is filling in for Kornheiser's radio spot, while Miami Herald columnist Dan LeBatard is Kornheiser's temporary replacement on the television show. LeBatard has hosted "Pardon the Interruption" previously. Max Kellerman of ESPN worked with LeBatard yesterday.
Wilbon is on vacation from the show this month.
At least six ESPN radio employees have been disciplined in recent weeks, including two firings for what the network believed was unacceptable conduct in dealing with staff personnel, according to sources.
Rob Ades, Kornheiser's agent, yesterday declined to discuss the reason for the suspension, saying: "I'm still cloudy on this. We're dealing with it."
Kornheiser said he is in the second year of a five-year contract for his ESPN radio show. He said his contract for the television show is less than the length of the radio show, but includes options that could extend the contract.
Kornheiser yesterday said he plans to return next week when the suspension is over.
(edited by odessasteps on 16.7.02 0738) “The function of a good teacher is to discourage film as a course of study for the non-avid. There are film societies and cinemas galore for the serious non-film student.” – Robert Steele, “Film Scholars at the New York Film Festival,” FILM COMMENT 2, Fall 1964, p. 41, as quoted in It’s Only a Movie, by Raymond J. Haberski Jr.
I thought something was odd yesterday, since they kept saying Tony would be back on Monday and then Chris Moore was on (markedly better than listening to Michael Kay).
And then, The Bastard and Max Kellerman were on PTI. I turned it off without watching. too bad Bob Ryan was in Britain for the Open.
I guess Mr. Tony just gets another week of Golf.
With any luck, maybe Tony will be on the WTEM local show tonight with Andy Polley and Steve Czaban.
“The function of a good teacher is to discourage film as a course of study for the non-avid. There are film societies and cinemas galore for the serious non-film student.” – Robert Steele, “Film Scholars at the New York Film Festival,” FILM COMMENT 2, Fall 1964, p. 41, as quoted in It’s Only a Movie, by Raymond J. Haberski Jr.
Of the on-air talent, the only one I know about is Jason Jackson, former NBA guy and ESPN radio afternoon host.
Listeners of the TK radio show know that two of the radio people let go were Tony's producer Denis and someone named Kelvin who also worked on the TK show.
Tony's griping about Denis' firing were probably one of the things management was not happy about.
“The function of a good teacher is to discourage film as a course of study for the non-avid. There are film societies and cinemas galore for the serious non-film student.” – Robert Steele, “Film Scholars at the New York Film Festival,” FILM COMMENT 2, Fall 1964, p. 41, as quoted in It’s Only a Movie, by Raymond J. Haberski Jr.
Report on Jason Jackson's firing - Click Here - a couple days after I found this link, Kenny (on the late afternoon show) made some random reference to sexual harrasment while setting up Chris' :30 recap bit, which made me do a double take.
And it should be noted that Denis said his firing wasn't about sexual harrasment.
I was under the impression Denis' firing had to do with "email violations." Which of course could be anything from profanity to porn to harassment to gambling.
I struggled through PTI tonight with Kellerman and Michelle Tafoya. NOt good. Tony has jokingly said that once PTI gets successful, they'll dump him and Wilbon and throw in 2 random Heads. The last week and a half has shown the majick isn't there without TK and Wil-bone.
“The function of a good teacher is to discourage film as a course of study for the non-avid. There are film societies and cinemas galore for the serious non-film student.” – Robert Steele, “Film Scholars at the New York Film Festival,” FILM COMMENT 2, Fall 1964, p. 41, as quoted in It’s Only a Movie, by Raymond J. Haberski Jr.
If this keeps up, PTI could be cancelled very shortly. I haven't seen any PTI commercials on the ESPN networks for a couple of weeks. I miss Tony, Wilbon, and the heads.
Also, a few years ago, Phil Muschnick said that a Sports Center anchor was suspended for sexual harassment. Anyone know who it was.
"Catching Hitler was neato!" "Next stop, Hirohito!" Bart Simpson
I believe Tirico was the anchor suspended, it was just done quietly.
For more dirt on Bristol U, read "ESPN: The Unauthorized History" by Michael Freeman. ISBN: 0878332707
“The function of a good teacher is to discourage film as a course of study for the non-avid. There are film societies and cinemas galore for the serious non-film student.” – Robert Steele, “Film Scholars at the New York Film Festival,” FILM COMMENT 2, Fall 1964, p. 41, as quoted in It’s Only a Movie, by Raymond J. Haberski Jr.
Originally posted by tomvejadaWilbon's taking a pretty long vacation.
For those that don't know, Wilbon and Kornheiser were both taking a month's vacation from ESPN and the Washington Post.
Actually, Tony was supposed to be back this week, both on PTI and on the radio. I believe it says that in the original article. And, I may have mentioned this before, but on both shows last Friday, they promo'ed Tony being back on Monday (which he obviously wasn't).
I don't think they would have stuck us with Max Kellerman if it wasn't an on-the-fly solution. With plenty of notice, they gave us LeBatard and Ryan. (Dan I believe is on all month with Wil-Bone gone.)
I believe Tirico was the anchor suspended, it was just done quietly.
i think he was suspended for something like a year...and now look at him. he's done pretty well for himself. i'm not sure why something like this couldn't have been done for jason jackson. and wasn't it gary miller that was arrested a few years ago for pissing out of a bar window in cleveland (or something like this)?
Marge: Mr. Scorpio, this house is almost too good for us. I keep expecting to get the bums rush. Scorpio: We don't have bums in our town, Marge, and if we did, they wouldn't rush, they'd be allowed to go at their own pace.
I believe Tirico was the anchor suspended, it was just done quietly.
i think he was suspended for something like a year...and now look at him. he's done pretty well for himself. i'm not sure why something like this couldn't have been done for jason jackson. and wasn't it gary miller that was arrested a few years ago for pissing out of a bar window in cleveland (or something like this)?
The Gary Miller incident was in Chicago (Wrigleyville, I believe).
I'm happy to see that Denis got hired to work with Olbermann. Boy, there are two guys who can tell ESPN horror stories.
I enjoy PTI, but I thought that Tony K and Wilbon were a couple of idiots. That's until I started watching the fill-ins! I guess all sports writers are pretty stupid. But Tony and Wilbon appear to be the brightest of the bunch. I just now these other guys (and gal) are just horrible.
They pulled the same crap with Tony Bruno, which is why Tony Bruno is now on Foxradio. I also heard Bruno will be doing a similiar show like PTI on Foxsportsnet. this fall.
I believe Tirico was the anchor suspended, it was just done quietly.
i think he was suspended for something like a year...and now look at him. he's done pretty well for himself. i'm not sure why something like this couldn't have been done for jason jackson. and wasn't it gary miller that was arrested a few years ago for pissing out of a bar window in cleveland (or something like this)?
The Gary Miller incident was in Chicago (Wrigleyville, I believe).
I'm happy to see that Denis got hired to work with Olbermann. Boy, there are two guys who can tell ESPN horror stories.
It was in the Flats in Cleveland. Of COURSE it was in Cleveland...I mean...it's Cleveland for christ's sake. That's their kind of thing.
Just to try to one-up the referential dorkage, I think it was Taylor Negron, everyone's favorite effeminate ex-comic, who was addressing Mr. Willis. Surf's up!
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