The famously combative and mercurial Keith Olbermann is leaving ESPN again, nearly two years after he rejoined the sports network.
Olbermann, who first departed ESPN in 1997, and also had a messy breakup with MSNBC several years ago, will not be renewing his deal to anchor the ESPN2 program Olbermann, and his contract expires this month. A source told The Hollywood Reporter the decision was due to "creative differences." The Reporter previously said that ESPN wanted Olbermann to stop engaging in commentary, a condition he wouldn't accept. Network executives were also considering having him tape either in ESPN's Bristol, Connecticut, headquarters or a studio in Los Angeles rather than spending money on his Times Square set, a move that would save $40 million.
In a statement, the network said, "Keith is a tremendous talent who has consistently done timely, entertaining, and thought-provoking work since returning to ESPN. While the show's content was distinctive and extremely high quality, we ultimately made a business to move in another direction. We wish Keith nothing but the best and trust that his skill and ability will lead him to another promising endeavor."
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