Bob Ley this afternoon said his retirement from ESPN is the "right decision at the right time in my life for the right reasons." Ley today announced he is leaving the net after nearly 40 years, saying, "It's just time. ... A lot of personal reasons. I got the grandkids, I want to travel." Ley talked with Jeremy Schaap on today's "OTL," a show he hosted for decades, and said, "You know what it takes to do this show, and you've got to be plugged in all the time." When asked about his legacy at the net, he said, "I'm proudest of being in at the ground floor of something that's become an American cultural institution."
Ley said while he is retiring from ESPN, he has been "very involved" with his alma mater, Seton Hall, during his almost 10-month sabbatical from the net, including teaching several classes and serving as the school's commencement speaker during last month's graduation ceremony. Ley: "I get a lot of rewarding hours doing that." Schaap and Ley signed off by toasting two glasses of wine ("OTL," ESPN, 6/26).
Ley's ESPN colleagues took time on air today to congratulate him on his long career. Jason Fitz said, "I've been lucky to be a small part of 'Outside The Lines' over the last couple of months, and the culture Bob Ley created still resonates through that program and through these halls every single day" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 6/26). Mike Greenberg: "I have worked here for 23 years ... I figured out there were three people at ESPN who defined the place. Stuart Scott was the spirit of ESPN, Chris Berman was the heart of ESPN and Bob Ley was the conscience of ESPN" (Get Up," ESPN, 6/26). Max Kellerman: "Ley helped build this place as much as anyone, treats everyone well, and is one of the titans of this industry" ("First Take," ESPN, 6/26).
