Dan Patrick Announced He's Leaving ESPN...

[Prognosticator]

I'm listening to Dan Patrick's Radio show, and he just made the big, if not delayed, announcement - that he is in fact leaving ESPN as of August 17.

Now I know this isn't exactly the "sports world forum" here, but a lot of people watch sports, especially on ESPN. Patrick has been with ESPN since the 1980s, and he helped launch their radio division. He still hosts Sportscenter on occasion (mostly the 5pm slot during football season), and hosts a variety of their program.

It's really the end of an era as these two names part ways. The speculation has been at a rocket's pace as of late, with rumors spilling of Patrick's future. He's been approached as a potential host of The Price Is Right, as well as his own satellite radio program.

He's also began appearing in Adam Sandler's movie over the past couple of years, "The Longest Yard" and "The Benchwarmers" respectively.

Like him or not, like sports or not, this is pretty significant news since he's become such a fashioned media persona.

 

[Badger]

Yeah, he was one of the few left at ESPN that doesn't cause my ears to bleed.

Good luck to him.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I've always liked Dan. The Price is Right seems like an odd choice, I dunno. Maybe the money's good. "Game Show Host" always seemed pretty cheesy to me, maybe because of Richard Dawson on Family Feud always wanting to make out with the contestants.

Anyway, good luck Dan.

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

don't care...

 

[AhabTheArab]

yea not really a big deal lets face it...

hes not a bad journalist, but he always came off as a cocky ******* to me in his interviews.

hopefuly he goes the way of rich eisen and joins the floundering nfl network.

 

[Prognosticator]

here's yahoo's albeit brief AP presss release on the subject.

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-patrick&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

[Fran]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2930637

BRISTOL, Conn. -- Dan Patrick is leaving ESPN.

Patrick, who has been with the network for 18 years, announced on his radio show Monday that he will appear on air for the last time Aug. 17. Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president for production, made a simultaneous announcement.

A news release said that the mutual agreement will allow Patrick to pursue new interests outside of ESPN.

The final week of Patrick's radio show, which started in 1999, will include a look back at memorable moments, interviews and guests.

"If there was animosity, I wouldn't be doing any radio shows after today," Patrick said on his show, adding, "I hope to be doing radio somewhere, somehow, down the road."

In a news release, Patrick said: "I feel privileged to have had this opportunity and I have extremely mixed emotions about leaving. With that said, I told ESPN that I believe it's time for me to try something different, something that will also be challenging and rewarding. While I'm not sure what that will be, I am grateful to ESPN for its willingness to allow me to pursue new endeavors."

Said Williamson: "Dan has accomplished so much over the past two decades at ESPN, and fans and newsmakers have turned to him for his steady and trusted approach. We wish him the very best."

Patrick was a "SportsCenter" anchor from 1989 to 2006, winning the National Sportscaster of the Year award from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association in 2000. He also received a Sports Emmy Award in the Studio Host category in 1998.

Patrick has also written the column "Outtakes" for ESPN The Magazine.

Damn, damn, damn. I love watching this guy on SportsCenter, and his radio show is awesome.

Good luck to him, and I hope he comes back for the SportsCenter anniversaries.

 

[MakeMineMarvel]

Absolutely love Dan Patrick. In a city that usually prefers local radio show hosts, he was a national guy I loved to listen to. He never seemed too self absorbed to me and was always willing to poke fun at himself.

PLEASE DON'T TELL ME HE'S GOING TO THE PRICE IS RIGHT!!!

 

[BRUTAL]

Psst... fran... look up.

 

[BRUTAL]

-1 fran point

 

[Fran]

Oh goddamnit!

 

[Fran]

You are not authorized to give them out.

You have to go through an application process.

 

[BRUTAL]

Newb mistakes are fast-tracked through the application process... didn't you get the memo?

 

[Fran]

You'll have to get me another copy.

 

[Holly]

Newb mistakes are fast-tracked through the application process... didn't you get the memo?

im following you

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

Newb mistakes are fast-tracked through the application process... didn't you get the memo?

LOL, Bats...t:

 

[Jerry!]

Yeah Patrick is probably the only ESPN guys I enjoyed watching/listening to. He may come off as cocky, but he doesn't hold back on his interviews, he actually asks questions without giving the answer in the damn question. He gets on people, he asks tough questions. I remember when Stern went on his radio show when the whole Amare suspension thing was going on, they were going back and forth for a while and Patrick wasn't letting up.

 

[Fran]

Patrick and Kenny Mayne are my favorites.

 

[Kaboom]

this could be just the door that stuart scott needs openend so that espn can finally recognize his talents!

 

[Fran]

.,.

 

[Showtime]

That is a shame. I am sure he'll pop up somewhere.

When asked to comment Chris Berman said, "Pat, Pat, Pat, GONE!"

 

[Kaboom]

Umm, really? He's already one of the best.

sarcasm is dead.

 

[Fran]

Edit the post!

 

[Ghostvirus]

[Vader]NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!![/Vader]

 

[Addendum]

The Big Show is no more