Keith Olbermann to Return to ESPN Next Week – At Least, for 2 Days
He'll co-host "PTI" with Tony Kornheiser over the first two days of March
Tony Maglio | February 23, 2018 @ 12:34 PM	Last Updated: February 23, 2018 @ 1:42 PM
Someone wake up Dan Patrick: Keith Olbermann is returning to ESPN next week.
The assignment is temporary — for now, at least — as Olbermann will fill in for Michael Wilbon opposite Tony Kornheiser on popular sports debate program "PTI." The guest stint appears to be another step in a possible full-time reunion between Olbermann and self-proclaimed Leader in Sports.
Next Thursday and Friday, March 1 and 2, marks Olbermann's first time doing "Pardon The Interruption."
Also Read: Keith Olbermann Says NBC News 'Enabled' Matt Lauer, Slams Fired Star as 'Vindictive'
Olbermann got his start in media co-hosting ESPN's "SportsCenter" alongside Patrick, which the duo dubbed "The Big Show." He then had a high-profile breakup with ESPN, only to eventually return and exit again.
Last week, the MSNBC alum was on ESPN's "Golic and Wingo." Olbermann has also recently voiced a few pieces for "SportsCenter," and he was just on "Outside the Lines" to talk about MLB Hall of Fame selections.
John Skipper Fallout: 9 Possible Replacements to Run ESPN (Photos)
ESPN president John Skipper announced his resignation from the Disney-owned Worldwide Leader in Sports on Monday, citing a "substance addiction" struggle.
While the 61-year-old executive takes care of his personal issues, it is the problem of Disney chairman Bob Iger and interim ESPN president George Bodenheimer to find a replacement for Skipper. In the spirit of the holidays, TheWrap did most of the legwork for those guys, identifying nine top possible successors to interview for the post. Scroll through to gallery to see them all.
Also Read: Is John Skipper's Legacy at ESPN Riding on the NBA?
George Bodenheimer:
Former president of ESPN turned current interim president of ESPN turned future president of ESPN? The guy who handed his job over to Skipper is assuming the role until he and Bob Iger find a suitable successor. You know, or until they give up and the 59-year-old Bodenheimer gives ESPN his life again. You have to consider Bodenheimer on a list like this, though he's pretty much a retiree already.
Also Read: Barstool Sports Boss Pops Champagne – Literally – Over ESPN President's Resignation (Video)
Connor Schell:
How many promotions can one guy take? Schell was just upped in June to ESPN's Executive Vice President of Content, where he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of ESPN's content creation across television, digital and print platforms. That said, he lacks some business-side experience and needs a bit of polish to be the public face of ESPN. But he does have an Oscar.
Also Read: Disney Acquires 21st Century Fox Assets for $52.4 Billion
Justin Connolly:
The EVP, affiliate sales and marketing, Disney & ESPN Media Networks is actually the likely frontrunner for the Worldwide Leaders in Sports' top job -- or at least that's what we're told the current rumblings inside ESPN state. After all, he graduated from Harvard -- twice. Go ahead and get a jumpstart on his new business cards.
Also Read: John Skipper Resigns as ESPN President, Cites 'Substance Addiction' Problem
Christine Driessen:
Although ESPN is hyperaware of the optics of hiring another white man for the job, the female ESPN CFO probably doesn't actually have enough content experience for the job. Skipper's old post also requires a bit of glad-handing, which we're told isn't exactly Driessen's strong suit.
Also Read: ESPN President John Skipper Asks On-Air Talent, Reporters 'to Be Confident' About Company's Future
David Preschlack: The NBC Sports Regional Networks president is an ESPN alum -- and what he used to work on there may be as valuable as what Preschlack manages now. At ESPN, Preschlack handled oversight of content distributed on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices -- he also oversaw the U.S. cable, telco and satellite affiliate sales, global distribution and strategy, digital video distribution and affiliate marketing. Now he's got 9 RSNs under his thumb. Considering ESPN-owner Disney just bought 22 of those in the Fox deal...
Also Read: Fear, Anxiety Sink In at 20th Century Fox After Disney Takeover News
David Berson:
The president of CBS Sports spent 16 years at ESPN -- so yes, he knows where Bristol, Connecticut, is located on a map. Time to go home, Dave. Go to your home.
Also Read: Fox News Is Most-Watched Basic Cable Network in 2017
Sheryl Sandberg:
Another female candidate! (Unfortunately, as you'll notice by the end of this gallery, no people of color on the current list.) Facebook COO Sandberg has a great tech background, obviously, and she also sits on the Disney advisory board -- so there are ties here. Anyone could learn sports, right? This job is more about tech, digital and mobile than you may think.
Also Read: ESPN Lays Off 150 Employees: Read Boss John Skipper's Internal Email Here
Michael Paull:
Wait -- tech and sports? I mean, come on. The Amazon alum is currently the CEO of BAMTech, the digital media company spun off by Major League Baseball's MLB Advanced Media. Guess which rich cartoon mouse owns part of BAMTech? Yep, that one.
Also Read: Michael Rapaport Rips ESPN Over 'Barstool Van Talk' Cancellation: 'Self Righteous Chumps'
Jeff Krolik:
The president of Fox Sports Regional Networks may be headed in Disney's direction anyway. Krolik currently oversees the day-to-day operations of Fox Sports' 22 regional sports networks, the largest such RSN group in the country. That group is going to Disney as part of the mega Fox deal -- presumably, so is he. It stands to reason that the folks at the un-sold Fox Sports 1 channel will stay put, but he might have a different story.
Also Read: Who Needs ESPN? Barstool Sports to Launch 24/7 Channel on SiriusXM
So here are our nine -- who would you hire? Yes, there are other potential candidates both in-house and out-of-house. For this job, think tech, think mobile, think digital, think broadcast rights and/or network negotiating experience, think thick-skinned, Disney-friendly and public-facing.
Oh yeah, and think sports.
Also Read: 'ESPN Plus' Streaming Service to Debut Spring 2018
From in-house execs and alums to total outsiders, TheWrap has narrowed down Bob Iger's Christmas — err, interview — list
Former Voice of 'Sunday Night Football' Mike Patrick to Leave ESPN After 36 Years
By Tony Maglio | February 21, 2018 @ 12:06 PM
Attention Cord-Cutters! Disney Prices ESPN+ OTT Service as Cheaper Than Cable
By Tony Maglio | February 6, 2018 @ 3:09 PM
Fox News Contributor Blasts Lauer, Olbermann: 'F— Both of You Womanizing Perverts'
By Jon Levine | December 2, 2017 @ 1:53 PM
TheWrap latest coverage of sports media