You may remember that ESPN is planning on dividing its operations with a new HQ out west in the near future. While those plans are still moving forward, Sports by Brooks uncovered a possible added bonus that could come with the new digs. That bonus is Pat O’Brien. Yes….the Pat O’Brien. The ex-CBS Basketball reporter/ex-Access Hollywood host/ex-Entertainment Tonight host/drunken and drugged voicemailer.
SbB got a hold of ESPN to comment on the possibility of the hire….
A source recently revealed that O’Brien may be under consideration for an on-air position at ESPN Radio. I have no more details than that. These sorts of things can sometimes be agent propaganda, but from what I gathered from my source, that isn’t the case here.
From a sports broadcast perspective, an O’Brien hire would make perfect sense for ESPN. But of course, based on numerous, ugly off-air indiscretions by the former “Insider” host, ESPN bringing him on would be a considerable risk to the network.
UPDATE: ESPN Media Relations Director Josh Krulewitz responds to SbB about the prospect of ESPN hiring O’Brien. “Our radio content is both national and local as we (ESPN) own five radio stations including one in Los Angeles. There have been no discussions about considering him (O’Brien) for a job.”
Speaking of Los Angeles, I’ve since heard that O’Brien may have specific interest in an on-air position with the aforementioned ESPN-owned L.A. radio station, KSPN-AM. I’m also hearing that an official at that station may have been contacted by an O’Brien representative about the prospect of O’Brien hosting a show on the station.
Obviously this is all speculation and rumor, but it could be time to get Pat O’Brien back into Sports. Everyone deserves a second chance, and as far as reporters go, O’Brien was one of the better ones in the 80s and 90s.
ESPN Ready To Take A Chance On Pat O’Brien? (Sports by Brooks)
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