The Mouse gives Wilbon $8M over 4 years: Wash Post will see less Wilbon

[Idaho]

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/3236.html

After Mike Wilbon cut his new four-year deal with Disney for just under $8 million—which will pump up his presence on Disney-owned ESPN and ABC—he approached Washington Post chairman Don Graham and executive editor Len Downie and offered to resign as Post sports columnist.

“I don’t know if you want me in this capacity,” he told them.

Both said they wanted to keep their star sportswriter in the Post fold. But there might less of Wilbon on the sports pages, and more of him on the washingtonpost.com site.

Frankly, I admire him just for offering to resign since he knew he'd be of less value to the paper in one way or another.

 

[shockey]

mike's always been a class act, so this is no surprise. 8) 8) 8)

 

[wickedwritah]

How much more can he be used on ESPN/ABC? He's already on PTI and NBA coverage. Radio show, perhaps?

 

[GB-Hack]

I could see them incorporating him into their football coverage. He's a great football writer.

 

[Idaho]

How much more can he be used on ESPN/ABC? He's already on PTI and NBA coverage. Radio show, perhaps?

Under his new contract, Wilbon will appear with Dan Patrick and Mark Jackson on ABC’s studio team broadcasting NBA games. He’ll also do analysis of some NFL games.

 

[Bubbler]

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/3236.html

After Mike Wilbon cut his new four-year deal with Disney for just under $8 million—which will pump up his presence on Disney-owned ESPN and ABC—he approached Washington Post chairman Don Graham and executive editor Len Downie and offered to resign as Post sports columnist.

“I don’t know if you want me in this capacity,” he told them.

Both said they wanted to keep their star sportswriter in the Post fold. But there might less of Wilbon on the sports pages, and more of him on the washingtonpost.com site.

Frankly, I admire him just for offering to resign since he knew he'd be of less value to the paper in one way or another.

Agreed. Classy move.

 

[Editude]

He manages to be engaging and animated without yelling. Rare TV sports-yak skill.

 

[TigerVols]

Yeah, quite the sacrifice he was willing to make there.

 

[OneMoreRead]

How old is Wilbon?

 

[GB-Hack]

Yeah, quite the sacrifice he was willing to make there.

I hope your sarcasm font wasn't on there. He offered to do what he thought was the right thing, and WaPo said, no we still want you around. That's a classy move.

 

[tyler durden 71351]

He's the guy who ought to do color for Monday Night Football, not Mr. Tony.

 

[slappy4428]

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/3236.html

After Mike Wilbon cut his new four-year deal with Disney for just under $8 million—which will pump up his presence on Disney-owned ESPN and ABC—he approached Washington Post chairman Don Graham and executive editor Len Downie and offered to resign as Post sports columnist.

“I don’t know if you want me in this capacity,” he told them.

Both said they wanted to keep their star sportswriter in the Post fold. But there might less of Wilbon on the sports pages, and more of him on the washingtonpost.com site.

Frankly, I admire him just for offering to resign since he knew he'd be of less value to the paper in one way or another.

I can think of a couple other columns I wish would make that offer... good for Wilbon... shows integrity

 

[wickedwritah]

Wilbon is too erudite to be on MNF. I like him, too, but if you think putting Kornheiser on MNF was a trainwreck, Wilbon would be just as much of a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

He did color for one year on some Redskins pre-game years. One year. Four games. Then he didn't anymore.

 

[miamiheraldchick]

He is about 47 years old, I believe.

Very good guy.

 

[Oz]

Frankly, I admire him just for offering to resign since he knew he'd be of less value to the paper in one way or another.

Agreed. Classy move.

Definitely a classy move, showing a willingness to let someone else come in and do the job knowing that he's set financially.

 

[Trey Beamon]

I'm happy for Wilbon. He's a great read, tremendous on PTI and seems a genuinely nice dude.

Just hard to fathom a sportswriter making athlete-type moola.

 

[wickedwritah]

I said this on the Philadelphia Inquirer thread, but it would've been nice if SAS made the same gesture when lots of heads were rolling in Philly. Wilbon's gesture comes at a place that's not slashing anywhere near the Inquirer.

 

[boots]

I said this on the Philadelphia Inquirer thread, but it would've been nice if SAS made the same gesture when lots of heads were rolling in Philly. Wilbon's gesture comes at a place that's not slashing anywhere near the Inquirer.

And I will repeat. Two totally different individuals with different agendas. I know both very well. One has class. The other, you fill in the blank.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

I said this on the Philadelphia Inquirer thread, but it would've been nice if SAS made the same gesture when lots of heads were rolling in Philly. Wilbon's gesture comes at a place that's not slashing anywhere near the Inquirer.

And I will repeat. Two totally different individuals with different agendas. I know both very well. One has class. The other, you fill in the blank.

It would be nice if Warren Buffett gave away all his money and joined a commune in Oregon, but it's his life.