Kornheiser Irks ESPN, Forcing Net To Suspend Him One Week

ESPN has suspended radio show and "PTI" host Tony Kornheiser "for one week without pay for making remarks that were critical of management during his radio program," according to sources of Thomas Heath of the WASHINGTON POST, who notes the suspension started yesterday. Kornheiser: "You should ask them as to why this happened. I was notified by my agent on Friday afternoon. He said, 'You have been suspended by ESPN and don't go to work.'" Kornheiser's annual financial package with ESPN is worth over $500,000. Kornheiser "has criticized the network's personnel decisions on his radio show," and sources said that ESPN execs were "unhappy with comments Kornheiser made during commercial breaks that aren't heard on the radio but are broadcast on the Internet." ESPN Radio's Chris Moore is filling in on Kornheiser's radio spot, while Miami Herald columnist Dan LeBatard is Kornheiser's replacement on "PTI." Kornheiser is in the second year of a five-year deal for his ESPN Radio show (WASHINGTON POST, 7/16).

REPORT CARD: In AZ, Jim Gintonio calls ESPN's "PTI" a "must-watch." Kornheiser and co-host Michael Wilbon's "interviews are excellent, but their clash of egos and opinions is what drives the show" (AZ REPUBLIC, 7/16).