Latest news with #MichaelWilbon
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Michael Wilbon Sends Warning To 'Critical' Media Members
Michael Wilbon Sends Warning To 'Critical' Media Members originally appeared on The Spun. ESPN's Michael Wilbon isn't in the mood to deal with hot-take artists. He made that abundantly clear this week. Advertisement Wilbon has hosted "Pardon the Interruption" since its inception in 2001. His partnership with Tony Kornheiser has made the show an ESPN classic. Of course, he has also made a name for himself without Kornheiser by his side. In 2020, he was inducted into the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Fame. Obviously, Wilbon knows a thing or two about what sells in today's era of sports talk. That doesn't mean he has to agree with it though. Prior to Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Wilbon talked about Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton playing through injury on "Pardon the Interruption." Wilbon didn't just applaud Haliburton's toughness, he issued a warning to anyone thinking of criticizing the All-Star guard. Advertisement "Haliburton, who I flat out admire for going out there and playing and anybody who's critical of that effort to me is a fool, and I don't want to see them in front of me because I might take a swing at them," Wilbon said. "I don't want to hear it. Haliburton has my admiration for playing … people should shut up. Athletes are to be admired when they do this kind of thing." PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 11: Michael Wilbon of ESPN looks on during a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors at Wells Fargo Center on December 11, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by)This isn't the first time that Wilbon has gotten brutally honest. In March, he criticized the current state of sports media during an interview with Bobby Burack of OutKick. "That's pandering. It's all pandering. Let me be clear: our business is a piece of [expletive] a lot of days," Wilbon told OutKick. "There is nobody enforcing standards or having tough conversations. This is what happens when you no longer have functioning newsrooms, because everyone is working from hotel rooms, from their bedrooms, and maybe even from their beds. Advertisement "People are not in newsrooms anymore or a studio, where you can call them out on their [expletive]. That's a problem. Instead, there are a bunch of 20-year-olds pitching stories while spending all day on social media and reinforcing each other's [expletive]. It's 100% pandering, and I hate it." Like it or not, Wilbon is brutally honest with his peers. Related: ESPN Fans Not Happy With Michael Wilbon's New Role Michael Wilbon Sends Warning To 'Critical' Media Members first appeared on The Spun on Jun 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA insider hilariously explains why the new Pope needs to bless the Chicago Bulls, and right now
In a hilarious moment on Friday's 'First Take,' ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst explained why, if the new Chicago-raised Pope blesses any of the city's teams, it needs to be the Chicago Bulls, and it has to happen right now. There were few bigger stories on the planet this week than the Vatican conclave choosing Chicago Cardinal Robert Prevost to be the new Pope. Soon after the news, the conversation switched to his apparent fandom of the local teams. And if the most powerful man in the Catholic world could possibly bless one of his favorite franchises, like the White Sox or Bulls. Advertisement Related: NBA games today – Get a look at tonight's NBA playoff schedule It was also brought up on Friday's edition of 'First Take.' Veteran NBA analyst Michael Wilbon opened the discussion when he said, 'In Chicago, we're so obsessed. We want to know everything about the Pope. Is he going to bless the Bears?' However, that point was quickly interrupted by NBA insider Brian Windhorst with an even better idea. 'Forget the Bears. The Bulls [need a blessing] on Monday in the lottery.' Why do the Chicago Bulls need Pope Leo XIV's blessing before Monday night? Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images So why do the Bulls really need a blessing from Pope Leo XIV, and right now? Well, on Monday, the NBA will have its annual NBA Draft lottery. And the player every single team wishes they could have is Duke star Cooper Flagg. He was the best high school player in the country two years ago. The best college player last year, and is the top prospect for the draft this spring. Advertisement Flagg is seen as a generational talent who can be a perennial All-Star. And a potential MVP candidate down the line. Unfortunately for Chicago, they have some of the worst odds in the lottery after finishing with a 39-43 record and reaching the Play-In tournament. Heading into Monday's event, they have a 1.8% chance of landing the No. 1 pick. That is the second-worst odds of the 13 teams that will be at the lottery. Even their chance of getting a top-four selection is only 8%. So, at this point, it would take an act from the new Pope to improve the Bulls' chances of getting the No. 1 pick, and Flagg this spring. Also Read:: 2025 NBA Draft order: NBA Draft picks by team after the regular season, NBA Draft lottery odds
Associated Press
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Longtime Northwestern coach Joe McKeown plans to retire after the 2025-26 season
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern coach Joe McKeown, who has won nearly 800 games over four decades spent mostly leading the Wildcats and George Washington, plans to retire after the 2025-26 season, the school announced on Monday. McKeown has a 777-432 record with 17 NCAA Tournament appearances in 39 years at Northwestern, George Washington and New Mexico State. McKeown credited ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon, a Northwestern alum and trustee, for convincing him to take the job in 2008. 'Seventeen years ago on a golf course in Washington, D.C., Wildcat legend Michael Wilbon said I should look at Northwestern,' he said in a statement. 'I did, and we never looked back! I am excited to coach the Wildcats this upcoming 2025-26 season. It has been an honor to be in Evanston for the past 17 years. We brought Northwestern its first Big Ten championship in 30 years, went to multiple NCAA Tournaments, and put plenty of Wildcats in the WNBA and other pro leagues.' McKeown is the winningest coach at Northwestern and tops among active Big Ten women's coaches with a 268-258 mark in 17 seasons. The Wildcats reached the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2021, when they advanced for the first time in 28 years. Northwestern would have made it during the 2019-20 season had the tournament not been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wildcats set a program record for wins at 26-4 and finished first in the Big Ten at 16-2. But they've won nine games each of the past three years, including a 9-18 mark this season. McKeown helped former stars Nia Coffey (fifth overall in 2017) and Veronica Burton (seventh in 2022) develop into first-round picks in the WNBA draft. He established himself as one of the nation's top coaches at George Washington from 1989 to 2008. His teams posted a 441-154 record and made the NCAA tourney in 15 of his 19 seasons, with four trips to the Sweet 16 and an Elite Eight appearance in 1997. McKeown led New Mexico State to a 68-20 mark and two NCAA appearances in three seasons from 1986 to 1989.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Longtime Northwestern coach Joe McKeown plans to retire after the 2025-26 season
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern coach Joe McKeown, who has won nearly 800 games over four decades spent mostly leading the Wildcats and George Washington, plans to retire after the 2025-26 season, the school announced on Monday. McKeown has a 777-432 record with 17 NCAA Tournament appearances in 39 years at Northwestern, George Washington and New Mexico State. McKeown credited ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon, a Northwestern alum and trustee, for convincing him to take the job in 2008. 'Seventeen years ago on a golf course in Washington, D.C., Wildcat legend Michael Wilbon said I should look at Northwestern,' he said in a statement. 'I did, and we never looked back! I am excited to coach the Wildcats this upcoming 2025-26 season. It has been an honor to be in Evanston for the past 17 years. We brought Northwestern its first Big Ten championship in 30 years, went to multiple NCAA Tournaments, and put plenty of Wildcats in the WNBA and other pro leagues.' McKeown is the winningest coach at Northwestern and tops among active Big Ten women's coaches with a 268-258 mark in 17 seasons. The Wildcats reached the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2021, when they advanced for the first time in 28 years. Northwestern would have made it during the 2019-20 season had the tournament not been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wildcats set a program record for wins at 26-4 and finished first in the Big Ten at 16-2. But they've won nine games each of the past three years, including a 9-18 mark this season. McKeown helped former stars Nia Coffey (fifth overall in 2017) and Veronica Burton (seventh in 2022) develop into first-round picks in the WNBA draft. He established himself as one of the nation's top coaches at George Washington from 1989 to 2008. His teams posted a 441-154 record and made the NCAA tourney in 15 of his 19 seasons, with four trips to the Sweet 16 and an Elite Eight appearance in 1997. McKeown led New Mexico State to a 68-20 mark and two NCAA appearances in three seasons from 1986 to 1989. ___ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage: Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
