Hall and Oates from 1976 and the Old Grey Whistle Test. She’s Gone. Michelle Beadle is leaving ESPN2’s SportsNation.
The official word came today. Jim Miller, co-author of “Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside the World of ESPN” has the news.
Bye bye Bristol: The @MichelleDBeadle deal is to be by cohost of access Hollywood (w billy bush), major sports events and new show tba.
— James Andrew Miller (@ESPNBook) May 11, 2012
My best to Beadle. She has been a friend to this site and will always remain so.
UPDATE, 1:35 p.m.: Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch contacted both ESPN and NBC. ESPN has not budged from its official position that was provided to Fang’s Bites yesterday and NBC is not commenting.
Re: @ESPNBook & @SPORTSbyBROOKS reports of Michelle Beadle leaving ESPN. NBC declined comment. ESPN says no change on previous comments.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) May 11, 2012
That’s all.
UPDATE, 3:50 p.m.: Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead with everything over, but the official announcement from NBCUniversal, wonders what ESPN could have done to keep Michelle in Bristol (answer: probably nothing).
I wonder if Michelle will make some sort of announcement on SportsNation today. I’m hoping she does as I’ve bet Richard Deitsch some Starbucks over this. But even if she doesn’t say anything today, I’m sure next week that there will be some type of official press release from NBC and perhaps a short, terse statement from ESPN as well.
Now with Dana Jacobsen and Michelle Beadle gone from the Alleged Worldwide Leader, management can focus on their two remaining free agents, Scott Van Pelt and Erin Andrews. Look for both to remain with the Bristolians for the foreseeable future.
