"Our business is a piece of sh*t": Michael Wilbon criticizes ESPN and Stephen A. Smith’s obsession with Bronny James

ESPN has come under fire for its relentless focus on Bronny James, and one of its own, veteran journalist Michael Wilbon, isn’t holding back. Wilbon, the longtime co-host of Pardon the Interruption, recently criticized the network for what he sees as an excessive push to make Bronny a daily topic. Speaking in an interview with Outkick, he revealed that ESPN executives attempted to get him and his co-host Tony Kornheiser to frequently discuss Bronny on their show—something they refused to do.

Michael Wilbon calls out ESPN’s priorities

During the interview, Michael Wilbon was candid about the pressure from higher-ups at ESPN to cover Bronny James extensively, even at the expense of more deserving basketball stories. He expressed frustration over the way the network prioritizes narratives that generate buzz over meaningful discussions about the game.


"There were shows that talked about Bronny every day," Wilbon said. "You know what shows I'm talking about. I don't care if my bosses get mad. They would try to get Tony and me to talk about it. No, we were not going to do it."

He acknowledged that as a father, he understands why LeBron James is so invested in his son’s career. However, he took issue with ESPN seemingly placing Bronny’s name above legitimate stars in the NBA.

"They talked about him more than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander," Wilbon added. "That's pandering. It's all pandering. Let me be clear: our business is a piece of sh*t a lot of days."

Wilbon explained that Pardon the Interruption only covered Bronny when it was truly newsworthy—such as when he was drafted by the Lakers and when he played alongside his father on opening night. In contrast, he noted that other ESPN shows, particularly First Take, seemed to include Bronny in daily debates, overshadowing actual basketball discussions. Many fans have also voiced frustration, questioning whether ESPN's obsession with Bronny is truly about basketball or just a ratings ploy.

ESPN under fire: Channing Frye, Charles Barkley, and Michael Wilbon criticize network’s shallow coverage of NBA

Wilbon is not alone in his criticism. Former NBA player and analyst Channing Frye also recently called out ESPN after Stephen A. Smith falsely claimed that LeBron James did not attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial. Frye took to social media to demand more accountability from the network.

"Please don't lie. Please don't make sh*t up. Fact-check yourself," Frye posted. "The beef is not fun when you've run out of things to talk about. Just don't lie to try and win an argument."

Meanwhile, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has been vocal about what he sees as ESPN’s repetitive and shallow coverage. While speaking on Inside the NBA, Barkley mocked ESPN’s fixation on teams like the Lakers and the Warriors, arguing that it dilutes real basketball conversations.

"Them fools at the other network, which we're going to be working at next year, that's all they talk about," Barkley said. "Y'all just want to talk about the Warriors and the Lakers... Y'all are idiots cause y'all talk about the Lakers and the Warriors all the time."

Wilbon’s remarks came at a time when First Take continued its back-and-forth with LeBron James, a feud that has dominated headlines. However, Wilbon emphasized that this issue is bigger than one individual or one show—it’s a reflection of the entire sports media landscape.

"This isn't about Stephen A. It's the entire industry," Wilbon stated. "That's what I want to remind LeBron. Our business is just sh*t some days. It just is."

As voices like Wilbon, Barkley, and Frye call for a shift in the way sports are covered, the future of sports journalism remains uncertain. The industry is at a crossroads, where it must decide whether to prioritize thoughtful, in-depth coverage or continue chasing sensational stories for ratings.

Also Read: LeBron James opens up about the real reason behind his feud with Stephen A. Smith: “He’s on a Taylor Swift tour run”

With the debate intensifying, it remains unclear whether calls for journalistic integrity will reshape the landscape or if viral content will continue to dominate. Only time will tell if the media will embrace a more balanced approach to covering the game.




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