Keith Olbermann Is Leaving ESPN Again
Keith Olbermann is exiting ESPN once again. The television personality, who rejoined the sports network in August 2013, won't be renewing his deal to anchor his ESPN2 program, a source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. His deal is complete at the end of July and he is expected to appear on the network until the conclusion of that deal. Sources say that ESPN management made Olbermann an offer to take his show to the network's headquarters in Bristol or to the Los Angeles facility but was rebuffed. This was a cost-saving measure, with Olbermann's show produced out of the network's Times Square studio. Not having that show being produced in Times Square will save the network roughly 40 million, say sources. Olbermann's impending departure follows a THR report on July 1 detailing the anchor's "commentary" in his segments as a point of contention in his contract negotiation with the network. "Keith is a tremendous talent who has consistently done timely, entertaining and thought-provoking work since returning to ESPN," the network said in a statement. "While the show's content was distinctive and extremely high quality, we ultimately made a business decision to move in another direction. We wish Keith nothing but the best and trust that his skill and ability will lead him to another promising endeavor.", ESPN Wants Keith Olbermann to Quit Doing "Commentary", Movies Blog Heat Vision, ESPN Wants Keith Olbermann to Quit Doing "Commentary", Movies Blog Heat Vision