Right-Leaning Sports Pundits Up in Arms Over ESPN’s Michael Wilbon Celebrating Retirement of ‘Divisive’ Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl

Ahmad Austin Jr. Sep 23rd, 2025, 4:49 pm

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Longtime ESPN host Michael Wilbon drew the ire of right-leaning sports media figures for his criticism of former Auburn University basketball coach Bruce Pearl .

On Monday, Pearl announced his retirement from coaching, effective immediately. Taking the helm of the program will be his son, Steven Pearl . In a video announcing retirement, Pearl addressed speculation that he was eyeing a potential pivot to politics. While he admitted it was a consideration, he instead chose to remain at Auburn in a non-coaching capacity.

Not long after the news broke, Wilbon and co-host Tony Kornheiser reacted

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