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==Career==
==Career==
=== Newspapers ===
=== Newspapers ===
Wilbon began working for ''[[The Washington Post]]'' in 1980 after summer internships at the newspaper in 1979 and 1980.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/September-October-2014/Bethesda-Magazine-Interview/|title=Michael Wilbon: sports writer turned TV star|last=Elfin|first=David|date=September–October 2014|work=Bethesda Magazine|access-date=2017-07-07|language=en}}</ref><ref name="PTI on ESPN">{{cite web|title=Pardon the Interruption with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1365321&type=page2Story|accessdate=October 16, 2007|publisher=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> He covered college sports, [[Major League Baseball]], the [[National Football League]] and the [[National Basketball Association]] before being promoted to full-time columnist in February 1980.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="PTI on ESPN" /> His column in the ''Post'', which dealt as much with the culture of sports as the action on the court or field, appeared up to four times a week until he left to work full-time for ESPN on December 7, 2010.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/06/AR2010120606607_pf.html|title=For Michael Wilbon, a fond farewell to The Post|date=December 7, 2010|newspaper=Washington Post|first=Michael|last=Wilbon}}</ref>
Wilbon began working for ''[[The Washington Post]]'' in 1980 after summer internships at the newspaper in 1979 and 1980.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/September-October-2014/Bethesda-Magazine-Interview/|title=Michael Wilbon: sports writer turned TV star|last=Elfin|first=David|date=September–October 2014|work=Bethesda Magazine|access-date=2017-07-07|language=en}}</ref><ref name="PTI on ESPN">{{cite web|title=Pardon the Interruption with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1365321&type=page2Story|access-date=October 16, 2007|publisher=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> He covered college sports, [[Major League Baseball]], the [[National Football League]] and the [[National Basketball Association]] before being promoted to full-time columnist in February 1980.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="PTI on ESPN" /> His column in the ''Post'', which dealt as much with the culture of sports as the action on the court or field, appeared up to four times a week until he left to work full-time for ESPN on December 7, 2010.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/06/AR2010120606607_pf.html|title=For Michael Wilbon, a fond farewell to The Post|date=December 7, 2010|newspaper=Washington Post|first=Michael|last=Wilbon}}</ref>


In his career, Wilbon covered ten Summer and Winter [[Olympic Games]] for ''The Washington Post'', every [[Super Bowl]] since 1987, nearly every [[Final Four]] since 1982 and each year's [[NBA Finals]] since {{nbafy|1987}}. Notably, he was also the only reporter based outside of [[Hawaii]] to cover the [[1982 Virginia vs. Chaminade men's basketball game|historic basketball upset]] of top-ranked [[1982–83 Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team|Virginia]] by then-[[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] member [[Chaminade Silverswords men's basketball|Chaminade]] in 1982 (he was in [[Honolulu]] to cover [[1982 Aloha Bowl|a college football bowl game]]).<ref name="resonates">{{cite news|last=Bolch|first=Ben|title=Improbable basketball victory by small college in Hawaii still resonates|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 19, 2011|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/19/sports/la-sp-1120-college-basketball-upsets-20111120|accessdate=December 17, 2013}}</ref>
In his career, Wilbon covered ten Summer and Winter [[Olympic Games]] for ''The Washington Post'', every [[Super Bowl]] since 1987, nearly every [[Final Four]] since 1982 and each year's [[NBA Finals]] since {{nbafy|1987}}. Notably, he was also the only reporter based outside of [[Hawaii]] to cover the [[1982 Virginia vs. Chaminade men's basketball game|historic basketball upset]] of top-ranked [[1982–83 Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team|Virginia]] by then-[[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] member [[Chaminade Silverswords men's basketball|Chaminade]] in 1982 (he was in [[Honolulu]] to cover [[1982 Aloha Bowl|a college football bowl game]]).<ref name="resonates">{{cite news|last=Bolch|first=Ben|title=Improbable basketball victory by small college in Hawaii still resonates|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 19, 2011|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/19/sports/la-sp-1120-college-basketball-upsets-20111120|access-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref>


During his time at the ''Post'', Wilbon earned the reputation as one of "the best deadline writer[s] in American newspapers."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2002/08/05/327407/revenge-of-the-words-the-yak-attacks-of-tony-kornheiser-and-michael-wilbon-on-espns-pardon-the-interruption-prove-that-friends-make-the-best-arguments|title=Revenge of the Words: The yak attacks of Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon on ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' prove that friends make the best arguments|last=Mansfield|first=Stephanie|date=5 August 2002|work=Sports Illustrated|access-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> In 2001, Wilbon was named the top sports columnist by the [[Society of Professional Journalists]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/cwoc/cwoc_01_06.html|title=Pardon the Interruption!: A Talk with Michael Wilbon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901094713/http://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/cwoc/cwoc_01_06.html|accessdate=October 16, 2007|archive-date=September 1, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>
During his time at the ''Post'', Wilbon earned the reputation as one of "the best deadline writer[s] in American newspapers."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2002/08/05/327407/revenge-of-the-words-the-yak-attacks-of-tony-kornheiser-and-michael-wilbon-on-espns-pardon-the-interruption-prove-that-friends-make-the-best-arguments|title=Revenge of the Words: The yak attacks of Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon on ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' prove that friends make the best arguments|last=Mansfield|first=Stephanie|date=5 August 2002|work=Sports Illustrated|access-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> In 2001, Wilbon was named the top sports columnist by the [[Society of Professional Journalists]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/cwoc/cwoc_01_06.html|title=Pardon the Interruption!: A Talk with Michael Wilbon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901094713/http://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/cwoc/cwoc_01_06.html|access-date=October 16, 2007|archive-date=September 1, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In recent years, Wilbon has become more known as an ESPN personality than as a reporter. On December 7, 2010, he wrote his last column for the ''Washington Post'' and officially dedicated full-time to work for ESPN and ABC.<ref name="washingtonpost.com" />
In recent years, Wilbon has become more known as an ESPN personality than as a reporter. On December 7, 2010, he wrote his last column for the ''Washington Post'' and officially dedicated full-time to work for ESPN and ABC.<ref name="washingtonpost.com" />
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After contributing to ESPN's ''[[The Sports Reporters]]'' and other shows on the cable network, Wilbon began co-hosting ESPN's daily opinion forum ''[[Pardon the Interruption]]'' (''PTI'') with Tony Kornheiser on October 22, 2001.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.peninsulapress.com/2014/04/29/michael-wilbon-espn/|title=ESPN’s Michael Wilbon on childhood, sports and ‘Pardon the Interruption’|last=Otis|first=Allison|date=29 April 2014|website=Peninsula Press|access-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> Wilbon was also a member of [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]'s ''[[NBA Countdown]]'' (which he hosted with [[Jalen Rose]], [[Bill Simmons]] and [[Magic Johnson]]), which was the pre-game show for the network's NBA telecasts.
After contributing to ESPN's ''[[The Sports Reporters]]'' and other shows on the cable network, Wilbon began co-hosting ESPN's daily opinion forum ''[[Pardon the Interruption]]'' (''PTI'') with Tony Kornheiser on October 22, 2001.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.peninsulapress.com/2014/04/29/michael-wilbon-espn/|title=ESPN’s Michael Wilbon on childhood, sports and ‘Pardon the Interruption’|last=Otis|first=Allison|date=29 April 2014|website=Peninsula Press|access-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> Wilbon was also a member of [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]'s ''[[NBA Countdown]]'' (which he hosted with [[Jalen Rose]], [[Bill Simmons]] and [[Magic Johnson]]), which was the pre-game show for the network's NBA telecasts.


In addition to his work at ''The Washington Post'', ''PTI'' and ESPN, Wilbon appeared weekly on [[WRC-TV]] in Washington, D.C. with WRC Sports Director [[George Michael (sportscaster)|George Michael]], and Pro Football Hall of Famers [[John Riggins]] and [[Sonny Jurgensen]] on ''Redskins Report'' during the football season. He also appeared with Michael, ''[[USA Today]]'' basketball writer [[David Dupree]] and [[Tony Kornheiser]] on ''Full Court Press'' during the basketball season. Both of these shows were canceled in December 2008 due to budget cuts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/29/AR2008122901353_pf.html|work=The Washington Post|title=Leonard Shapiro: Loss of Michael Is a Truly Deep Cut|date=December 29, 2008|first=Leonard|last=Shapiro|accessdate=May 12, 2010}}</ref> Wilbon also forged a close friendship with former Marshall and former NFL quarterback [[Byron Leftwich]] while the young passer was a standout player for HD Woodson in Washington, D.C.
In addition to his work at ''The Washington Post'', ''PTI'' and ESPN, Wilbon appeared weekly on [[WRC-TV]] in Washington, D.C. with WRC Sports Director [[George Michael (sportscaster)|George Michael]], and Pro Football Hall of Famers [[John Riggins]] and [[Sonny Jurgensen]] on ''Redskins Report'' during the football season. He also appeared with Michael, ''[[USA Today]]'' basketball writer [[David Dupree]] and [[Tony Kornheiser]] on ''Full Court Press'' during the basketball season. Both of these shows were canceled in December 2008 due to budget cuts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/29/AR2008122901353_pf.html|work=The Washington Post|title=Leonard Shapiro: Loss of Michael Is a Truly Deep Cut|date=December 29, 2008|first=Leonard|last=Shapiro|access-date=May 12, 2010}}</ref> Wilbon also forged a close friendship with former Marshall and former NFL quarterback [[Byron Leftwich]] while the young passer was a standout player for HD Woodson in Washington, D.C.


In late 2006, Wilbon agreed to a multi-year contract extension with ESPN. After accepting the contract, Wilbon offered to resign from the ''Post'', but the newspaper's chairman [[Donald E. Graham|Don Graham]] and executive editor [[Leonard Downie, Jr.|Len Downie]] both asked him to stay on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2007/01/25/will-wilbons-8-million-tv-deal-make-him-a-stranger-at-the-post/|title=Will Wilbon’s $8-Million TV Deal Make Him a Stranger at the Post?|last=Jaffe|first=Harry|date=2007-01-25|website=Washingtonian|access-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> The network gained priority therein with regards to conflicts with his newspaper assignments.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-12-27-wilbon_x.htm|title=Wilbon now more of an ESPN guy|newspaper=USA Today|author=Michael McCarthy |date=December 27, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-12-27-wilbon_x.htm |title=Will Wilbon's $8-Million TV deal make him a stranger at the Post?|magazine=Washingtonian|author=Harry Jaffe|date=January 25, 2007}}</ref> The first major conflict occurred on February 4, 2007, when Wilbon covered a [[Detroit Pistons]]–[[Cleveland Cavaliers]] game instead of [[Super Bowl XLI]].
In late 2006, Wilbon agreed to a multi-year contract extension with ESPN. After accepting the contract, Wilbon offered to resign from the ''Post'', but the newspaper's chairman [[Donald E. Graham|Don Graham]] and executive editor [[Leonard Downie, Jr.|Len Downie]] both asked him to stay on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2007/01/25/will-wilbons-8-million-tv-deal-make-him-a-stranger-at-the-post/|title=Will Wilbon’s $8-Million TV Deal Make Him a Stranger at the Post?|last=Jaffe|first=Harry|date=2007-01-25|website=Washingtonian|access-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> The network gained priority therein with regards to conflicts with his newspaper assignments.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-12-27-wilbon_x.htm|title=Wilbon now more of an ESPN guy|newspaper=USA Today|author=Michael McCarthy |date=December 27, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2006-12-27-wilbon_x.htm |title=Will Wilbon's $8-Million TV deal make him a stranger at the Post?|magazine=Washingtonian|author=Harry Jaffe|date=January 25, 2007}}</ref> The first major conflict occurred on February 4, 2007, when Wilbon covered a [[Detroit Pistons]]–[[Cleveland Cavaliers]] game instead of [[Super Bowl XLI]].
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Wilbon grew up on the [[South Side, Chicago|South Side]] of [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], as the son of a route salesman and a public school teacher.<ref name=":0" /> He graduated from [[St. Ignatius College Preparatory School]] in 1976 and received his journalism degree in 1980 from [[Northwestern University]]'s [[Medill School of Journalism]].<ref name=":0" /> While in college, Wilbon wrote for ''[[The Daily Northwestern]]''.<ref name=":1" />
Wilbon grew up on the [[South Side, Chicago|South Side]] of [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], as the son of a route salesman and a public school teacher.<ref name=":0" /> He graduated from [[St. Ignatius College Preparatory School]] in 1976 and received his journalism degree in 1980 from [[Northwestern University]]'s [[Medill School of Journalism]].<ref name=":0" /> While in college, Wilbon wrote for ''[[The Daily Northwestern]]''.<ref name=":1" />


Wilbon currently lives in [[Bethesda, Maryland]], and also has a home in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]]. Wilbon and his wife Cheryl Johnson Wilbon had their first child, Matthew Raymond Wilbon, via [[surrogate pregnancy|surrogate]] on March 26, 2008.<ref>As mentioned on ''PTI'', March 26, 2008. This was during the ''PTI'' Rundown as announced by [[Tony Kornheiser]].</ref><ref name="Mitchell">{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Fred|url=http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/cs-080326-mitchell-davidson-ncaa-wennington-bulls,1,1397024.column|title=Word on the Street|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 26, 2008|accessdate=March 29, 2008}}</ref> Kornheiser often refers to Matthew affectionately as "Lilbon."<ref name=":1" />
Wilbon currently lives in [[Bethesda, Maryland]], and also has a home in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]]. Wilbon and his wife Cheryl Johnson Wilbon had their first child, Matthew Raymond Wilbon, via [[surrogate pregnancy|surrogate]] on March 26, 2008.<ref>As mentioned on ''PTI'', March 26, 2008. This was during the ''PTI'' Rundown as announced by [[Tony Kornheiser]].</ref><ref name="Mitchell">{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Fred|url=http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/cs-080326-mitchell-davidson-ncaa-wennington-bulls,1,1397024.column|title=Word on the Street|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 26, 2008|access-date=March 29, 2008}}</ref> Kornheiser often refers to Matthew affectionately as "Lilbon."<ref name=":1" />


Wilbon has a cousin, [[Travon Bellamy]], who played for the [[Illinois Fighting Illini|University of Illinois football team]].<ref>As mentioned on ''PTI'', Feb. 7, 2007. This was during a discussion of questionable [[Recruiting (college athletics)|recruiting]] by head coach [[Ron Zook]].</ref> Former [[ABC News]] reporter [[Carole Simpson]] is Wilbon's cousin.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021123195731/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/02/regulars/sports/tkwilbon/r_sports_tkwilbon102802.htm|archive-date=November 23, 2002|title= The Chat House|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/02/regulars/sports/tkwilbon/r_sports_tkwilbon102802.htm|work=The Washington Post|last=Kornheiser|first=Tony|last2=Wilbon|first2=Michael|date=October 21, 2002|accessdate=March 6, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Wilbon has a cousin, [[Travon Bellamy]], who played for the [[Illinois Fighting Illini|University of Illinois football team]].<ref>As mentioned on ''PTI'', Feb. 7, 2007. This was during a discussion of questionable [[Recruiting (college athletics)|recruiting]] by head coach [[Ron Zook]].</ref> Former [[ABC News]] reporter [[Carole Simpson]] is Wilbon's cousin.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021123195731/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/02/regulars/sports/tkwilbon/r_sports_tkwilbon102802.htm|archive-date=November 23, 2002|title= The Chat House|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/liveonline/02/regulars/sports/tkwilbon/r_sports_tkwilbon102802.htm|work=The Washington Post|last=Kornheiser|first=Tony|last2=Wilbon|first2=Michael|date=October 21, 2002|access-date=March 6, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Wilbon is good friends with former NBA star [[Charles Barkley]], and has edited and written the introduction for his most recent books, ''I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It'' and ''Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?'', both of which were [[New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' best sellers]].
Wilbon is good friends with former NBA star [[Charles Barkley]], and has edited and written the introduction for his most recent books, ''I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It'' and ''Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?'', both of which were [[New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' best sellers]].


Wilbon suffered a heart attack on January 27, 2008.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Brinson|first=Will|title=Wilbon Reportedly Suffers Heart Attack|url=http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/29/michael-wilbon-reportedly-suffers-heart-attack/|publisher=[[AOL|AOL Sports]]|date=January 29, 2008|accessdate=January 29, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106037901|title=Sports Writer Turns Attention to Heart Disease|last=Martin|first=Michael|date=29 June 2009|work=NPR|access-date=2017-07-07|language=en}}</ref> After complaining of chest pains, he was taken to a Scottsdale hospital where doctors performed an [[angioplasty]].<ref>[http://sportsmediawatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/espns-wilbon-has-heart-attack.html Sports Media Watch: ESPN's Wilbon has heart attack<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013103759.html|title=A life-changing turn of events|newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Michael|last=Wilbon|date=February 1, 2008}}</ref> Wilbon is also a type-2 [[diabetic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030404828.html|title=Hoyas star Austin Freeman is far from alone in living with diabetes|last=Wilbon|first=Michael|date=5 March 2010|work=The Washington Post}}</ref>
Wilbon suffered a heart attack on January 27, 2008.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Brinson|first=Will|title=Wilbon Reportedly Suffers Heart Attack|url=http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/29/michael-wilbon-reportedly-suffers-heart-attack/|publisher=[[AOL|AOL Sports]]|date=January 29, 2008|access-date=January 29, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106037901|title=Sports Writer Turns Attention to Heart Disease|last=Martin|first=Michael|date=29 June 2009|work=NPR|access-date=2017-07-07|language=en}}</ref> After complaining of chest pains, he was taken to a Scottsdale hospital where doctors performed an [[angioplasty]].<ref>[http://sportsmediawatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/espns-wilbon-has-heart-attack.html Sports Media Watch: ESPN's Wilbon has heart attack<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013103759.html|title=A life-changing turn of events|newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Michael|last=Wilbon|date=February 1, 2008}}</ref> Wilbon is also a type-2 [[diabetic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030404828.html|title=Hoyas star Austin Freeman is far from alone in living with diabetes|last=Wilbon|first=Michael|date=5 March 2010|work=The Washington Post}}</ref>


On August 10, 2008, during a Cubs–Cardinals game at [[Wrigley Field]], Wilbon threw out the ceremonial first pitch and then sang "[[Take Me Out to the Ballgame]]" as part of the seventh-inning stretch. Footage of Wilbon wearing a tucked-in Cubs jersey and bouncing the pitch is frequently shown on ''[[Pardon The Interruption]]'' as a friendly teasing by Kornheiser.<ref name=Sullivan>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Paul|url=http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080810-koskue-fukudome-chicago-cubs,1,1861608.story|title=EXTRA INNINGS|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=August 11, 2008|accessdate=August 11, 2008}}</ref>
On August 10, 2008, during a Cubs–Cardinals game at [[Wrigley Field]], Wilbon threw out the ceremonial first pitch and then sang "[[Take Me Out to the Ballgame]]" as part of the seventh-inning stretch. Footage of Wilbon wearing a tucked-in Cubs jersey and bouncing the pitch is frequently shown on ''[[Pardon The Interruption]]'' as a friendly teasing by Kornheiser.<ref name=Sullivan>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Paul|url=http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080810-koskue-fukudome-chicago-cubs,1,1861608.story|title=EXTRA INNINGS|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=August 11, 2008|access-date=August 11, 2008}}</ref>


In May 2009, Wilbon competed in a made-for-TV "King of Bowling" show against pro bowling star [[Wes Malott]]. Wilbon beat Malott by a score of 256–248, but Wilbon received a 57-pin handicap and Malott had to use a plastic ball.
In May 2009, Wilbon competed in a made-for-TV "King of Bowling" show against pro bowling star [[Wes Malott]]. Wilbon beat Malott by a score of 256–248, but Wilbon received a 57-pin handicap and Malott had to use a plastic ball.

Revision as of 19:01, 19 December 2020

Michael Wilbon
Wilbon in 2011
Born
Michael Ray Wilbon

(1958-11-19) November 19, 1958 (age 65)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
EducationNorthwestern University
Occupation(s)Sports journalist, TV personality
Years active1979–present
Spouse
Cheryl Johnson
​
(m. 1997)​
Children1
RelativesCarole Simpson (cousin)

Michael Ray Wilbon (/ˈwɪlbɒn/; born November 19, 1958) is an ESPN commentator and former sportswriter and columnist for The Washington Post. He is an analyst for ESPN and has co-hosted Pardon the Interruption on ESPN with former Post writer Tony Kornheiser since 2001.

Career

Newspapers

Wilbon began working for The Washington Post in 1980 after summer internships at the newspaper in 1979 and 1980.[1][2] He covered college sports, Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association before being promoted to full-time columnist in February 1980.[1][2] His column in the Post, which dealt as much with the culture of sports as the action on the court or field, appeared up to four times a week until he left to work full-time for ESPN on December 7, 2010.[3]

In his career, Wilbon covered ten Summer and Winter Olympic Games for The Washington Post, every Super Bowl since 1987, nearly every Final Four since 1982 and each year's NBA Finals since 1987. Notably, he was also the only reporter based outside of Hawaii to cover the historic basketball upset of top-ranked Virginia by then-NAIA member Chaminade in 1982 (he was in Honolulu to cover a college football bowl game).[4]

During his time at the Post, Wilbon earned the reputation as one of "the best deadline writer[s] in American newspapers."[5] In 2001, Wilbon was named the top sports columnist by the Society of Professional Journalists.[6]

In recent years, Wilbon has become more known as an ESPN personality than as a reporter. On December 7, 2010, he wrote his last column for the Washington Post and officially dedicated full-time to work for ESPN and ABC.[3]

Television

After contributing to ESPN's The Sports Reporters and other shows on the cable network, Wilbon began co-hosting ESPN's daily opinion forum Pardon the Interruption (PTI) with Tony Kornheiser on October 22, 2001.[7] Wilbon was also a member of ABC's NBA Countdown (which he hosted with Jalen Rose, Bill Simmons and Magic Johnson), which was the pre-game show for the network's NBA telecasts.

In addition to his work at The Washington Post, PTI and ESPN, Wilbon appeared weekly on WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. with WRC Sports Director George Michael, and Pro Football Hall of Famers John Riggins and Sonny Jurgensen on Redskins Report during the football season. He also appeared with Michael, USA Today basketball writer David Dupree and Tony Kornheiser on Full Court Press during the basketball season. Both of these shows were canceled in December 2008 due to budget cuts.[8] Wilbon also forged a close friendship with former Marshall and former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich while the young passer was a standout player for HD Woodson in Washington, D.C.

In late 2006, Wilbon agreed to a multi-year contract extension with ESPN. After accepting the contract, Wilbon offered to resign from the Post, but the newspaper's chairman Don Graham and executive editor Len Downie both asked him to stay on.[9] The network gained priority therein with regards to conflicts with his newspaper assignments.[10][11] The first major conflict occurred on February 4, 2007, when Wilbon covered a Detroit Pistons–Cleveland Cavaliers game instead of Super Bowl XLI.

Personal life

Wilbon grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, as the son of a route salesman and a public school teacher.[1] He graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in 1976 and received his journalism degree in 1980 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.[1] While in college, Wilbon wrote for The Daily Northwestern.[7]

Wilbon currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland, and also has a home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Wilbon and his wife Cheryl Johnson Wilbon had their first child, Matthew Raymond Wilbon, via surrogate on March 26, 2008.[12][13] Kornheiser often refers to Matthew affectionately as "Lilbon."[7]

Wilbon has a cousin, Travon Bellamy, who played for the University of Illinois football team.[14] Former ABC News reporter Carole Simpson is Wilbon's cousin.[15]

Wilbon is good friends with former NBA star Charles Barkley, and has edited and written the introduction for his most recent books, I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It and Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?, both of which were New York Times best sellers.

Wilbon suffered a heart attack on January 27, 2008.[16][17] After complaining of chest pains, he was taken to a Scottsdale hospital where doctors performed an angioplasty.[18][19] Wilbon is also a type-2 diabetic.[20]

On August 10, 2008, during a Cubs–Cardinals game at Wrigley Field, Wilbon threw out the ceremonial first pitch and then sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" as part of the seventh-inning stretch. Footage of Wilbon wearing a tucked-in Cubs jersey and bouncing the pitch is frequently shown on Pardon The Interruption as a friendly teasing by Kornheiser.[21]

In May 2009, Wilbon competed in a made-for-TV "King of Bowling" show against pro bowling star Wes Malott. Wilbon beat Malott by a score of 256–248, but Wilbon received a 57-pin handicap and Malott had to use a plastic ball.

Wilbon has served as a trustee of Northwestern University.

White House visit

Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon and Tony Reali meeting President Barack Obama.

On July 12, 2013, Wilbon, Kornheiser and Tony Reali (PTI statistician and de facto co-host) were guests at the White House. After lunch the trio met in the Oval Office with President Barack Obama.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Elfin, David (September–October 2014). "Michael Wilbon: sports writer turned TV star". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Pardon the Interruption with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  3. ^ a b Wilbon, Michael (December 7, 2010). "For Michael Wilbon, a fond farewell to The Post". Washington Post.
  4. ^ Bolch, Ben (November 19, 2011). "Improbable basketball victory by small college in Hawaii still resonates". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Mansfield, Stephanie (August 5, 2002). "Revenge of the Words: The yak attacks of Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon on ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' prove that friends make the best arguments". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  6. ^ "Pardon the Interruption!: A Talk with Michael Wilbon". Archived from the original on September 1, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  7. ^ a b c Otis, Allison (April 29, 2014). "ESPN's Michael Wilbon on childhood, sports and 'Pardon the Interruption'". Peninsula Press. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  8. ^ Shapiro, Leonard (December 29, 2008). "Leonard Shapiro: Loss of Michael Is a Truly Deep Cut". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  9. ^ Jaffe, Harry (January 25, 2007). "Will Wilbon's $8-Million TV Deal Make Him a Stranger at the Post?". Washingtonian. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  10. ^ Michael McCarthy (December 27, 2006). "Wilbon now more of an ESPN guy". USA Today.
  11. ^ Harry Jaffe (January 25, 2007). "Will Wilbon's $8-Million TV deal make him a stranger at the Post?". Washingtonian.
  12. ^ As mentioned on PTI, March 26, 2008. This was during the PTI Rundown as announced by Tony Kornheiser.
  13. ^ Mitchell, Fred (March 26, 2008). "Word on the Street". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 29, 2008.
  14. ^ As mentioned on PTI, Feb. 7, 2007. This was during a discussion of questionable recruiting by head coach Ron Zook.
  15. ^ Kornheiser, Tony; Wilbon, Michael (October 21, 2002). "The Chat House". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 23, 2002. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  16. ^ Brinson, Will (January 29, 2008). "Wilbon Reportedly Suffers Heart Attack". AOL Sports. Retrieved January 29, 2008. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ^ Martin, Michael (June 29, 2009). "Sports Writer Turns Attention to Heart Disease". NPR. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  18. ^ Sports Media Watch: ESPN's Wilbon has heart attack
  19. ^ Wilbon, Michael (February 1, 2008). "A life-changing turn of events". The Washington Post.
  20. ^ Wilbon, Michael (March 5, 2010). "Hoyas star Austin Freeman is far from alone in living with diabetes". The Washington Post.
  21. ^ Sullivan, Paul (August 11, 2008). "EXTRA INNINGS". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2008.

External links

Media related to Michael Wilbon at Wikimedia Commons

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