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EXCLUSIVE: Keith Olbermann Returning to ESPN? Ex-MSNBC Host in Talks for NY-Based Late Night Show
Daily News ^ | FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2013 | BOB RAISSMAN

Posted on 07/12/2013 11:52:40 AM PDT by nickcarraway

The sports newscaster turned MSNBC political commentator first worked on ESPN from 1992-1997. Sources say the situation is still 'very fluid'.

Is Keith Olbermann headed back to ESPN?

The Daily News has learned Worldwide Leader is in serious discussions with Olbermann to host a New York-based late night talk show on ESPN 2, according to industry sources.

The sources said the situation is still “very fluid” and no decision on green-lighting Olbermann or the project has been made.

If the move to Olbermann is made, it could blunt the buzz Fox hopes to generate with its August launch of Fox Sports 1.

This could be the first shot in an all-sports cable TV war. The sources added ESPN is also considering unleashing a multi-million dollar SportsCenter advertising campaign/counter attack that would air around the launch of FS1.

Still, the timing of an Olbermann hire would be strange. Last month, Turner Sports hired him to host its Major League Baseball postseason studio show on TBS. It stands to reason Turner brass wouldn't be thrilled with Olbermann debuting on ESPN before making his first appearance with Turner. Keith Olbermann's late night talk show could steal buzz away from new Fox Sports project.

Keith Olbermann's late night talk show could steal buzz away from new Fox Sports project.

It also would be unusual for Turner to allow Olbermann to work for ESPN, who Turner Sports execs likely view as a competitor. Nonetheless, stranger things have happened in this business. And it's no secret Olbermann has expressed major interest in returning to ESPN where he worked from 1992-1997. Initially, ESPN suits didn't second his emotion. But last month, ESPN boss John Skipper displayed some flexibility, leaving the door open for a return by Olbermann. When asked by the Hollywood Reporter if he would bring Olbermann back, Skipper said: "I wasn't here when Keith was here, but he is very talented. So I had dinner with Keith.....And I would not have had dinner with him if we didn't sit around and think about whether there was a reason to bring Keith back. I haven't met with him again, but we don't have a policy here that you can never come back."

Especially when Fox is starting up an all-sports rival to the Worldwide Leader. Those who were around when Olbermann teamed with Dan Patrick will remember the confrontations with management, the suspension, and other assorted niceties. They also will remember Olbermann referring to ESPN's Bristol, Conn headquarters as a "God forsaken place."

There is no love-lost between the Foxies and Olbermann either. In 1998, long before he referred to Fox as "the Fix Network" on his MSNBC political show, Olbermann was the anchor of "The Keith Olbermann Evening News," a Fox Sports Net show designed to challenge SportsCenter. Olbermann, who also hosted Fox's MLB studio show, was dumped by Fox, leaving under a cloud of controversy in 2001.


TOPICS: Sports; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 07/12/2013 11:52:40 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Probably the only human on this planet with a bigger head than Obamas.


2 posted on 07/12/2013 11:53:40 AM PDT by GrandJediMasterYoda (Someday our schools will teach the difference between "lose" and "loose")
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To: nickcarraway

The guy has more lives than a cat.


3 posted on 07/12/2013 11:53:52 AM PDT by Jonty30 (What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults)
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To: nickcarraway

Oh, come on! Won’t this douchebag just go away?


4 posted on 07/12/2013 11:55:38 AM PDT by ozzymandus
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To: All

yet another reason never to turn on ESPN again.


5 posted on 07/12/2013 11:57:55 AM PDT by newnhdad (Our new motto: USA, it was fun while it lasted.)
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To: GrandJediMasterYoda

Also one of the worst sports announcers ever. Keif is a jerk regardless of what audience he is hired to parade his ego in front of.


6 posted on 07/12/2013 11:59:52 AM PDT by SPOTTEDOWL (Are frontal lobotomies prerequisite for being classified as a liberal?)
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To: nickcarraway
Olbermann has a record of starting feuds with coworkers, throwing tantrums, and publicly criticizing his employers. Anyone who hires him deserves the consequences.
7 posted on 07/12/2013 12:01:17 PM PDT by Brad from Tennessee (A politician can't give you anything he hasn't first stolen from you.)
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To: nickcarraway

MSNBC and Current TV both learned the same thing the hard way. Olbermann is the WORLD’S WORST EMPLOYEE!!!

If the dullards in Bristol want to deal with that, it’s their call.


8 posted on 07/12/2013 12:02:59 PM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: nickcarraway

Rats swimming toward a sinking ship ?
This is a first...


9 posted on 07/12/2013 12:19:57 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (NRA Life Member)
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To: nickcarraway
Keith Olbermann Returning to ESPN?
WTF cares? I don't watch ESPN anymore than I watch pMSNBC.
ESPN does nothing more than glorify the felons of the NBA, NFL, etc.
10 posted on 07/12/2013 12:26:03 PM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: nickcarraway

Its amazing how these losers just keep getting recycled through the media establishment. Like there are no other capable people out there without the psych issues.


11 posted on 07/12/2013 12:26:18 PM PDT by headstamp 2 (What would Scooby do?)
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To: nickcarraway

If they hire this jackass, I’ll never watch ESPN again. Too bad, because I like SportsCenter.


12 posted on 07/12/2013 12:30:13 PM PDT by SC_Pete
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To: SC_Pete

I don’t watch ESPN anyway.. NFL Network is the way to go.


13 posted on 07/12/2013 12:30:56 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
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To: Brad from Tennessee

Olbermann has a record of starting feuds with coworkers, throwing tantrums, and publicly criticizing his employers. Anyone who hires him deserves the consequences.

It is as dumb as hiring someone who won several lawsuits against previous employers for falling on water puddles outside the bathrooms in offices that only have carpet.....


14 posted on 07/12/2013 12:33:58 PM PDT by GraceG
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To: nickcarraway

Boycott the sponsors and let them know it.


15 posted on 07/12/2013 1:11:07 PM PDT by VRWC For Truth (Roberts has perverted the Constitution)
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To: nickcarraway
very fluid”

Who the hell came up with this buzz phrase? I now hear it almost as often as that woman repetitiously screaming about being on fire.

16 posted on 07/12/2013 1:31:13 PM PDT by Cyman
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To: GrandJediMasterYoda

MSNBC needs him to come back! maybe put him in charge of the station—they could do worse.


17 posted on 07/12/2013 1:51:43 PM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll)
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To: nickcarraway

I have my doubts Olbermann will return to ESPN because there are still enough people still working at the company to remember why he was dumped by the network.


18 posted on 07/12/2013 5:36:45 PM PDT by RayChuang88 (FairTax: America's economic cure)
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