MMA insider Ariel Helwani will reportedly leave ESPN later this month. In an Instagram Post, Helwani confirmed the news, but indicated that the split was amicable.
“I know sometimes people leave jobs, networks, and they leave with sour grapes. They leave mad, they leave wanting to torch the bridge on the way out. I’m not gonna do that,” Helwani said.
“I have a lot of respect for what ESPN stands for and a lot of respect for the people there and I’m truly grateful for what they gave me and the opportunities they gave me. I’d be lying if I said I got there and thought that I would leave three years later, but this is a crazy world and a crazy business, and once I was given the opportunity to look at what else was out there, I found a lot of things that really got me excited.”
Andy Marchand of the New York Post has indicated that Helwani could be headed for the Action Network. Also, Dan Le Batard’s Meadowlark Media could be a landing spot for the reporter. Not to mention, spots like The Ringer or Peacock could be potential destinations.
Helwani’s last day at ESPN will be June 15 and he will announce his next move in “due time.”
