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ESPN Suspends Post's Kornheiser
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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.
"I have a contract to go back [to]," he said.
© 2002 The Washington Post Company
ESPN Suspends Post's Kornheiser
E-Mail This Article
Printer-Friendly Version
Subscribe to The Post
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.
"I have a contract to go back [to]," he said.
© 2002 The Washington Post Company
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