Michael Wilbon to take leave of absence from ESPN due to health issues, hopes to return

Long-time ESPN personality Michael Wilbon announced Monday that he's stepping away from the network for an uncertain amount of time due to "multiple health issues." The 67-year-old announced the news in a statement, saying he's hoping to be back on television before long.

Wilbon did not provide specifics into his health struggles, merely saying it was not due to alcohol usage or sports gambling.

"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. "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 change I find loathsome). "I have loved sparring and hosting PTI with Tony every single day these past 25 years. 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."

"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.

"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 change I find loathsome).

"I have loved sparring and hosting PTI with Tony every single day these past 25 years. 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 released a statement of his own Monday, saying Wilbon has the network's full support as he takes time off. Pitaro said he looked forward to "welcoming [Wilbon] back whenever he is ready."

Wilbon, who grew his reputation as a newspaper reporter with the Washington Post, exploded into the greater sports spotlight in 2001, when he began co-hosting "Pardon the Interruption" alongside Tony Kornheiser at ESPN.

That program remains on ESPN today and just celebrated its 25th year on the air. Wilbon and Kornheiser have remained co-hosts of the program throughout its entire run and even brought back former "Statboy" Tony Reali to make an appearance on the anniversary show.

In addition to appearing on "PTI," Wilbon has also been part of NBA broadcasts on ABC.