Keith Olbermann will appear on ESPN's "SportsCenter"
for the final time on June 29, according to Milton Kent of
the Baltimore SUN. Olbermann's agent, Jean Sage, described
his departure from ESPN as "amicable," and said "no decision
on Olbermann's future had been made." Kent: "Industry
speculation, however, has placed him possibly at Court TV or
at Fox Sports." Kent writes that Olbermann's relationship
with ESPN officials "took a sour turn" earlier this year,
when he was "kept off the air" for two weeks in April after
appearing on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," hosted by
former ESPN anchor Craig Kilborn. ESPN Exec Editor John
Walsh: "It was an ongoing situation. The result would have
been the same without (what happened in) April." Kent: "The
biggest stumbling block between the parties appeared to be
Olbermann's desire to live in New York, about two hours from
ESPN's Bristol, Conn. headquarters, where the fact that he
does not drive would not be such a significant factor in his
life" (Baltimore SUN, 6/19). Walsh added that "several
anchors" will be used in a rotation with Dan Patrick to fill
Olbermann's spot, including Steve Levy, Gary Miller and
Linda Cohn (MIAMI HERALD, 6/19).
ESPN REAX: ESPN spokesperson Diane Lamb: "The door
remains open for Keith. He had asked to be released to
pursue other opportunities. We decided to allow him to take
advantage of those opportunities" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/19).
NEXT MOVE: In Boston, Howard Manly, on Olbermann's
future: "Industry sources speculate that he is trying to
land a job with Fox, New York-based AM radio station WFAN,
Court TV, or WNBC-TV." Fox's Vince Wladika: "Keith has made
it perfectly clear that he wishes to be in New York. That
does not suit our purposes" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/19). In New
York, Richard Huff writes: "[Olbermann's agent Jean] Sage
has already had conversations with ABC and Fox" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 6/19). In Philadelphia, Bill Fleischman, on Olbermann
talking with Court TV: "What's Olbermann going to do, make
wise remarks when someone is found guilty and sentenced to
the electric chair?" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/19).
ET TU, DAN? In Baltimore, Milton Kent: "There could be
a second 11 pm opening to fill soon. [Dan] Patrick's name
has been mentioned as a possible successor to Charles Gibson
on ABC's 'Good Morning, America,' if Gibson leaves"
(Baltimore SUN, 6/19). Patrick has three years remaining on
his ESPN contract (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/19).
