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Craig Kilborn reflects on ESPN2 suspension during podcast

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 5, 2026, 10:15 PM

Last updated Jul 5, 2026

Craig Kilborn reflects on ESPN2 suspension during podcast

Summary

Craig Kilborn shared insights about his suspension from ESPN for joking about ESPN2 in an episode of the This Was SportsCenter podcast. He recalled that he made a playful remark while providing scores during a college basketball game, which was met with mockery from colleagues. Following this, he was suspended for a week without pay, citing a lack of communication from ESPN regarding the penalty. Kilborn described his desire to pursue sitcoms at that time, indicating his intention to leave the network. He left ESPN in 1996 but briefly returned in 2004 for a special anniversary episode.

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By the Numbers

•Kilborn discusses being suspended for a week by ESPN.
•The incident involved a joke about ESPN2 during a broadcast.
•Colleagues mocked him, leading to the suspension without explanation.
•Kilborn left ESPN in 1996, returned briefly in 2004.
•He expressed a desire to pursue sitcom opportunities at the time.

Latest Updates

10:15 PMYahoo Sports — Craig Kilborn recalls being suspended for a week after making fun of ESPN2

What they're saying

"
Craig Kilborn wasn’t one of the original SportsCenter anchors, but he was one of the most essential, bringing an acerbic humor and quick wit that elevated the role to mini-celebrity status. Kilborn was so successful at hosting that he parlayed his charm into becoming the original host of The Daily Show and eventually taking over The…
— Yahoo Sports

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