Veteran ESPN commentator and radio host Dan Le Batard will be leaving the company to pursue a new opportunity in January, ESPN announced on Thursday, after coming to a mutual agreement to part ways.
The final edition of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz will air on January 4th. Le Batard will also make his final appearance on ESPN’s Highly Questionable on that day, but ESPN plans to continue the show with a different host following Le Batard’s exit.
Le Batard has long been one of ESPN’s most outspoken personalities, and he recently made headlines in November by pledging to pay the salary of Chris Cote, a producer who had been laid off by ESPN last month.
In his farewell message, Le Batard assured fans of his show that he’ll be back “soon enough” on a different platform.
Via ESPN:
“In short, thank you, Disney and ESPN, for a quarter century of absurd blessings. To our loyal army of concerned fans, and to everyone who walked along and played an instrument in our Marching Band to Nowhere, know that it is a very exciting time for us, not a sad one. And that you’ll be hearing our laughter again soon enough.”
Fans and media members showed support for Le Batard on Twitter.
Le Batard is one of the best, smartest and most innovative sports media people, well, ever. His show is an all-time great. Can't wait to see what they all do next. https://t.co/sBeB0Mi7kf
— Yaron Weitzman (@YaronWeitzman) December 3, 2020
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz is one of greatest radio shows ever created.
If you don't agree…(putting on my best Papi voice) "you don't get the shoooow"
Wherever these guys find a home, I will be listening. https://t.co/kbh7SbzZyH
— Joe Weil (@Joe_Weil) December 3, 2020
LeBatard. The bag. Collision course.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) December 3, 2020
Lebatard about to get a super bag and he deserves every penny.
— Kev (@561_Kev) December 3, 2020
Shout out to Dan Le Batard and Papi. ESPN won’t be the same w/o them
— Tony M. Centeno 😷✍🏽 (@_tonyMC) December 3, 2020
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