ESPN gives Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon 3-year deals, will keep ‘PTI’ going: Source

ESPN is giving Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon new three-year deals to keep the show “Pardon The Interruption” going, a source briefed on the agreement confirmed to The Athletic on Monday.

Puck was first to report the news.

ESPN had been expected to extend “PTI,” at one point even considering expanding it from its 30-minute format to an hour, as it canceled its long-running lead-in “Around the Horn,” which aired its last show in May.

“PTI” launched in October 2001 and featured spirited debate between former newspaper writers Kornheiser and Wilbon. In addition to the playful banter of colleagues who were very familiar with each other, the show featured a rundown format that not only listed what topics would be discussed on screen, but also how much time they would spend on each one.

While the show is approaching its 24th anniversary, it is not known how long it will continue. Kornheiser is 77, while Wilbon is 66.

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