I think that played a part in Michaels wanting to jump ship.
The first article ESPN had on Michaels' move, which oddly enough isn't up anymore, mentioned something about Al not liking "the direction" ESPN wanted to go in. Sounds to me like that would be the Theesman direction.
I think that having to work with ThEEsman was THE reason why Michaels jumped ship. Now, if they had Uncle Paulie lined up instead of Broken Leg Joe, maybe the Mouse still would be looking for a way to get Oswald the Lucky Rabbit back in the family.